she was previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was previously" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone held a certain position, role, or status before the current one being discussed. Example: "She was previously the manager of the marketing department before her promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She was previously married and divorced.

The New York Times - Style

She was previously selection manager at Teach First.

The Guardian

She was previously editor of the Guardian's Katine website.

The Guardian

She was previously environment correspondent at the Financial Times.

The Guardian

She was previously chief financial officer of Walmart International.

The New York Times

She was previously the editor of Women's Health and features director of Marie Claire in Sydney.

The Guardian

She was previously married to deceased stage and film actor Will Hussung.

The New York Times

She was previously vice chairwoman for worldwide production for Universal Pictures.

The New York Times

She was previously vice president and director of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.

The New York Times

She was previously campaign director for a successful $3bn fundraising campaign at the University of Virginia.

The Guardian

She was previously unbeaten and is better than she showed that day.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was previously", ensure the context clearly establishes a chronological sequence. This helps avoid ambiguity about the order of events or roles.

Common error

Avoid using "she was previously" when you mean to describe her current role. This can create confusion about her present responsibilities. Make sure to use appropriate tense form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was previously" functions as an introductory element in a sentence, providing context about someone's prior role, experience, or marital status. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically sound and practical phrase in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was previously" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate someone's prior role or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in various contexts, including news, professional profiles, and biographies. Its primary function is to provide background information or explain transitions. While alternatives like "she formerly was" or "she had been" exist, "she was previously" offers a concise and widely accepted option. When using this phrase, ensure clear chronological context and avoid confusing it with descriptions of current roles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she formerly was

Uses "formerly" instead of "previously", suggesting a more formal tone.

prior to this, she was

Introduces the past state as a contrast to the current one, emphasizing the transition.

she had been

Employs the past perfect tense to highlight a completed action or state before another point in time.

before, she served as

Highlights the act of serving in a prior capacity.

earlier, she held the position of

Emphasizes the holding of a specific position in the past.

her previous role was

Focuses on the role itself rather than the person's state.

she used to be

Indicates a past habit or state that is no longer true, carrying a slightly more informal tone.

in the past, she worked as

Broadly indicates past employment without specifying a direct sequence.

she once was

Indicates a state that existed at some point in the past, often with a sense of nostalgia or change.

she has experience as

Focuses on past experience rather than a specific prior role.

FAQs

How can I use "she was previously" in a sentence?

Use "she was previously" to indicate a prior role or state before the current one. For example, "She is now the CEO; "she was previously" the CFO."

What are some alternatives to "she was previously"?

Alternatives include "she had been", "she formerly was", or "her previous role was", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "she was previously" or "she had previously been"?

Both are grammatically correct, but ""she was previously"" is more concise and commonly used. "She had previously been" emphasizes that the past role occurred before another point in the past, potentially adding additional temporal information.

What's the difference between "she was previously" and "she is currently"?

"She was previously" refers to a past role, while "she is currently" refers to her present role. Using both phrases in sequence helps to show a change in position or status.