they were previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were previously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a past state or condition of a subject before a certain point in time. Example: "They were previously employed at the company before starting their own business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were previously at Morgan & Finnegan.

The New York Times

They were previously at Linett, Schechter, Reicher & Ofsevit.

The New York Times

They were previously detained inside Bali's less strict Kerobokan prison.

The Guardian

And on Facebook, international archaeologists debated whether the vessels looked like they were previously cleaned.

University of California, Berkeley

However policy changes may help prevent them from entering areas where they were previously not found.

Columbia University

Starting Friday, the banks will have to report overdue mortgage payments that they were previously ignoring.

The New York Times

Rather Van Gaal's outfit were winning how they were previously being defeated – narrowly and unconvincingly.

The Guardian - Sport

They were previously to be seen on Channel 4 on The F***ing Fulfords.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Test cricket will need the tourists to be better travellers than they were previously.

The Guardian - Sport

It seeks full copies of some documents that were censored when they were previously released to Congress.

The Washington Post

"I was very happy to see they have presented results for many more chemicals than they were previously," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were previously" to clearly indicate a change in state, condition, or location. Ensure the context provides a clear contrast between the past and present situations.

Common error

Avoid using "they were previously" when referring to a continuous or ongoing state. It's best used to highlight a distinct change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were previously" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the prior state or condition of the subject. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use to describe changed circumstances or former roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were previously" is a versatile phrase used to highlight a contrast between a past situation and the current one. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and academic writing. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the change and avoid using it for continuous states. Remember to consider the slight differences in meaning between "they were previously" and alternatives like "they had been" or "they used to be" to ensure your writing is precise and effective. Understanding these nuances will enhance your ability to communicate clearly and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had been

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize that the state existed before another point in the past.

they once were

Implies a nostalgic or less formal tone compared to the original phrase.

they used to be

Emphasizes a habitual past state that is no longer true.

they formerly were

More formal and emphasizes the official or prior status.

previously, they were

Inverts the structure for emphasis on the previous condition.

they had earlier been

Adds a sense of temporal distance by using 'earlier'.

before, they were

Simplifies the structure to highlight the contrast between past and present.

in the past, they were

Provides a more general timeframe for the past condition.

they are now

Focuses more on the present condition by implying a past different state.

they have since been

Highlights the change from a past state to the present using "since".

FAQs

How can I use "they were previously" in a sentence?

Use "they were previously" to indicate that a group or entity occupied a different state, role, or location before the present. For example, "They were previously regular Labour voters who voted for the party in 2010."

What's a more formal alternative to "they were previously"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "they had been" or "they formerly were" to maintain a professional register.

Is "they were previously" interchangeable with "they used to be"?

While similar, "they were previously" often suggests a more official or formal shift, whereas "they used to be" implies a habitual or more general past state. Choose based on the context.

What is the difference between "they were previously" and "they had previously been"?

"They were previously" indicates a state that existed before, while "they had previously been" emphasizes that the past state occurred before another point in the past. The latter adds an additional layer of temporal context.