that was earlier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was earlier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that occurred at a previous time in a conversation or narrative. Example: "I mentioned the meeting time in my email, but that was earlier, so let me repeat it for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

This means that wealthy nations are now able to access "cheap labour that was earlier tucked away in faraway places".

The Guardian - Business

All it takes is one reader pointing out something that was earlier, or later, or greasier, and you're publishing a correction.

The New York Times

But the children's return to normalcy has been compromised by a casualty of the earthquake that was earlier overshadowed by people's immediate needs.

The New York Times

The researchers studied a species in Bolivia (where chilis are thought to have originated) that was earlier determined to be polymorphic — some plants produce hot peppers, while identical plants produce fruit that have no heat at all.

The New York Times - Science

Cisco came up with hardware that routed data, a task that was earlier performed with software.

Forbes

Engineers are mastering methods of rolling 0.8−1.5 mm strip that was earlier manufactured at cold rolling mills only.

Procedia Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

That could be as early as this week.

The New York Times

"Oh God, that's early," Calhoun said.

Los Angeles Times

Look for cards that are early printed, ex: 1999.

WikiHow

And that was early July.

The New Yorker

That was early in 1928.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was earlier" to clearly indicate that a specific event, statement, or condition occurred or existed prior to the current moment or context. This helps to establish a timeline and avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "that was earlier" without a clear reference point. Ensure the context makes it obvious what 'earlier' refers to, otherwise, specify the timeframe (e.g., "that was earlier this week").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was earlier" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a temporal relationship. It specifies that something occurred or existed prior to the current moment or context, establishing a sequence of events. This is supported by Ludwig which indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was earlier" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a temporal relationship, denoting something that occurred or existed before the present context. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly found across various sources, including news media, scientific publications, and everyday conversation. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using "that was earlier", ensure a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity and maintain clarity in your writing or speech. Alternatives like "that was previously" or "that was before" can be used for a more formal tone or to vary your phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that happened previously

Replaces 'earlier' with 'previously', maintaining the meaning of a prior occurrence.

that occurred beforehand

Substitutes 'earlier' with 'beforehand', emphasizing the prior timing of an event.

that took place before

Uses a verb-based phrase to convey the idea of something happening at a prior time.

that predates this

Employs 'predates' to indicate that something came before the current context.

that was prior

Replaces 'earlier' with 'prior', a more formal synonym.

that has already passed

Indicates that something has occurred and is no longer current.

that came before

A simpler way of saying something happened at a prior time.

that was in the past

Specifies that the event happened in the past relative to the current moment.

that anteceded this

Uses a more formal term, 'anteceded', to indicate a prior event.

that happened sooner

Focuses on the timing of the event, indicating it occurred earlier in time.

FAQs

How can I use "that was earlier" in a sentence?

You can use "that was earlier" to refer to a previous time, event, or statement. For example: "I mentioned the deadline, but "that was earlier"; the deadline has been extended."

What is a more formal alternative to "that was earlier"?

A more formal alternative could be "that was previously" or "that was prior". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "that was earlier today"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to say "that was earlier today" if you are referring to something that happened earlier in the same day.

What's the difference between "that was earlier" and "that was before"?

"That was earlier" implies a specific point in time preceding the present, while "that was before" is more general and suggests something occurred at any point in the past relative to the current situation.