Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
was established earlier
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "was established earlier" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was set up or created at a previous time in a discussion or narrative. Example: "The policy was established earlier to address the growing concerns about environmental sustainability."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Wiki
Encyclopedias
News & Media
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
15 human-written examples
The results in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 therefore indicate that the semiannual variation of Dst storms is real and can be attributed to the variation of Earth's dipole tilt angles μ and θ and their control on the magnetic reconnection rate, as was established earlier using over 200 years of IHV data (Svalgaard 2011).
Science
The Rift was established earlier in the series in "The Unquiet Dead", and the Doctor refuels there again in "Utopia" (2007).
Wiki
It was established earlier that transverse displacement increases with the skew; therefore, the demand on abutments increase.
The following theorem, which was established earlier in [24] for quaternion algebras, expands the class of fields with this property.
It was established earlier [19] that globular structure of the surface is caused by the refractory metals present in the alloy.
Science
Moreover, its mathematical models showed that a theory in which functions can become their own arguments is completely sensible, in addition to being consistent (what was established earlier using proof theoretic methods).
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
45 human-written examples
Bristol Community College was established (1966) in Fall River.
Encyclopedias
The game's tone was established early.
News & Media
Mount Saint Mary College was established (1930) in Newburgh.
Encyclopedias
The Epidemic Intelligence Service was established five years later.
News & Media
The program was established four years ago.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "was established earlier", ensure that the context clearly indicates what timeframe 'earlier' refers to. Provide specific dates or reference points to avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "was established earlier" without providing context for what 'earlier' means. Always specify a time frame or reference point to maintain clarity for the reader.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "was established earlier" functions as a passive voice construction used to indicate that an entity or concept was founded or created at a time preceding the current context. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
20%
Encyclopedias
15%
Less common in
Wiki
10%
Formal & Business
5%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "was established earlier" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to indicate that something was created or founded at a prior time. As noted by Ludwig, it's considered usable in written English. Its primary function is to provide historical context, and it appears frequently in scientific, news media and encyclopedia sources. When using the phrase, it's important to provide clear context for the timeframe referenced by "earlier" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "was founded previously" and "was created before", depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
was founded previously
Replaces "established" with "founded" and "earlier" with "previously", maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly different emphasis.
was created before
Substitutes "established" with "created" and "earlier" with "before", simplifying the language while preserving the core concept.
was initiated beforehand
Replaces "established" with "initiated" and "earlier" with "beforehand", offering a more formal tone.
was instituted in the past
Substitutes "established" with "instituted" and "earlier" with "in the past", providing a more descriptive and slightly more formal alternative.
had been set up prior
Uses the phrasal verb "set up" instead of "established" and "prior" instead of "earlier", resulting in a less formal but still accurate substitute.
was formed at an earlier date
Replaces "established" with "formed" and expands "earlier" to "at an earlier date", adding specificity.
originated some time ago
Shifts the focus to origination, using "some time ago" in place of "earlier", giving a more general sense of time.
came into existence previously
Replaces "established" with "came into existence" and "earlier" with "previously", creating a more verbose but equally valid substitute.
was brought into being before
Emphasizes the act of creation with "brought into being", replacing "earlier" with "before" for a more literal expression.
was started at a previous time
Replaces "established" with "started" and "earlier" with "at a previous time", providing a simpler and more direct alternative.
FAQs
How can I use "was established earlier" in a sentence?
Use "was established earlier" to indicate that something was founded or created at a prior time. For example, "The organization "was established earlier" than its competitors."
What's a simpler way to say "was established earlier"?
You can use phrases like "was created before" or "was founded previously" for a more straightforward expression.
Is there a more formal alternative to "was established earlier"?
Yes, consider using "was instituted in the past" or "was initiated beforehand" in formal contexts.
What is the difference between "was established earlier" and "was recently established"?
"Was established earlier" refers to something created at a prior, unspecified time. "Was recently established" indicates that something was created in the near past. The key difference is the timeframe reference.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested