was already in existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was already in existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been present or available prior to a certain point in time. Example: "The ancient ruins were a testament to a civilization that was already in existence long before the arrival of modern society."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

according to which submarine construction was permitted, was already in existence.

Yale University

The main body of the stratovolcano was already in existence around 4.22 5.27 Ma 40Ar/39Arr) supplying lahars to its lower footslopes.

Geomorphology

The city occupies the site of the old ʿAbbāsid port of Mohammerah, but it was already in existence at the time of Alexander the Great.

Britannica

"The third way Blair tried to put together was already in existence," says Ashdown. "It's called liberalism, though Blair's is a rather weak version of it.

The Guardian

State department officials, briefing reporters last week, said that some of the technology – to detect illegal fishing, or monitor ocean chemistry – was already in existence.

The Guardian

"And of course a statutory compensation scheme for victims of terrorism in Northern Ireland was already in existence, having been set up by a previous government.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"If there are faults that are already in existence near the water injection, and also if there are existing faults ready to slip, adding water can lubricate the fault and cause it to slip".

Vice

In addition to the advantages already described, SMS reminders require minimal investment in IT infrastructure, as this is already in existence; as the IT software for sending automated SMS integrates with existing electronic patient health records and hospital administrative database systems.

BMC Ophthalmology

Excellent catalogs of available Tg strains are already in existence, but it is essential that researchers developing new mouse strains, or utilizing existing strains in novel applications, characterize them fully with regard to targeting efficiency and specificity.

Hepatology

Twenty-eight others are already in existence.

The New York Times

Fortunately, institutions are already in existence to look after us.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was already in existence" to clearly establish that something was present or available before a specific point in time. It's useful for providing context or historical background.

Common error

Avoid using "was already in existence" when "existed" alone suffices. The phrase is effective when emphasizing the prior nature of something, but can be wordy if the context already implies it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was already in existence" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of being in the past. It asserts that something had existence prior to a specific point or event. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used across various contexts, signaling its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was already in existence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something existed prior to a specific time. It functions as a verbal phrase establishing background information and is commonly found in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources. While versatile, be mindful of potential redundancy. Alternatives like "already existed" or "was pre-existing" may be more concise in some contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and common usage across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

already existed

Simplified verb tense, replacing "was in existence" with the single verb "existed".

was already present

Focuses on the presence of something, rather than its existence as a concept.

was pre-existing

Uses an adjective to describe the state of existing beforehand.

had already come into being

More formal phrasing, emphasizing the process of becoming.

was an earlier version

Highlights that it was a prototype already

had been established

Emphasizes the act of setting up or founding something before a certain point.

was in place previously

Highlights that something was set and functioning before a certain time.

predated the current era

Focuses on the time aspect; emphasizes that something existed before the present.

was heretofore

Emphasizes that it was there from the beginning

was a prior development

More formal, stressing that something emerged or progressed earlier.

FAQs

How can I use "was already in existence" in a sentence?

Use "was already in existence" to indicate that something existed before a specific time or event. For example, "The legal framework "was already in existence" when the new regulations were introduced".

What are some alternatives to "was already in existence"?

Alternatives include "already existed", "had already come into being", or "was pre-existing", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "was already in existence"?

Sometimes. If the context clearly implies that something existed previously, using just "existed" may be more concise. However, "was already in existence" can emphasize the prior existence more strongly.

What is the difference between "was already in existence" and "came into existence"?

"Was already in existence" indicates a state of being present at a prior time. "Came into existence" refers to the moment something began to exist. For example, "The universe "came into existence" billions of years ago, and complex life forms "was already in existence" on Earth before humans evolved."