was previously handled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was previously handled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a task or issue that has been addressed or managed in the past. Example: "The customer complaint was previously handled by our support team, but it seems there are still unresolved issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The assignment was previously handled by SSPR, Chicago.

The New York Times

The account was previously handled by Brooklyn Brothers, New York.

The New York Times

The creative portion of the account was previously handled in-house, while the media portion was previously handled by McConnaughy Stein Schmidt Brown in Chicago.

The New York Times

The Rochester brewer was previously handled by Levine, Huntley, Schmidt & Beaver, New York.

The New York Times

The account was previously handled by ST&P Marketing, Fairlawn, Ohio.

The New York Times

Advertising for the three separate store chains was previously handled in-house and primarily focused on sales and special events.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The assignment, with billings that were estimated at $15 million to $18 million, had been previously handled internally and on a project basis.

The New York Times

Many of these types of tasks were previously handled by civilians at other agencies, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The New York Times

The D.C. Council voted last year to give the complaints office the power to review all use-of-force incidents, which were previously handled internally.

The Washington Post

Complaints were previously handled by the 151 local primary care trusts (PCTs), which were disbanded as part of the Coalition's NHS reforms.

Independent

We often do as much if not more on the Web than we did on the telephone writing personal thoughts, or dealing with matters that were previously handled in person and in private, like renting videos or researching embarrassing medical problems.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was previously handled" when indicating a change in responsibility or process. It clearly signals that the current method is different from the past.

Common error

Avoid using "was previously handled" excessively, as it can make your writing sound passive and indirect. If possible, rephrase the sentence to highlight the actor or entity responsible: "SSPR, Chicago, previously handled the assignment."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was previously handled" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a task, responsibility, or account had been managed by someone or something else in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was previously handled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate that a task or responsibility has been managed in the past. Ludwig AI analysis validates its correctness. It's commonly found in news and media, science and other contexts where a change in management or procedure is being described. To ensure clarity and conciseness, writers should consider using the active voice or specifying who or what is now responsible for the task. While "was previously handled" is useful for providing context, avoid overusing the passive voice to maintain a clear and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was previously dealt with

This alternative replaces "handled" with "dealt with", implying a more direct approach to addressing something.

had been formerly managed

This alternative uses synonyms to "handled" and "previously" and employs a slightly more formal tone.

was formerly taken care of

This alternative replaces "handled" with "taken care of", offering a more general description of the action.

was earlier addressed

Using "addressed" provides a sense of directly tackling an issue or task.

had been earlier managed

This uses "earlier" instead of "previously", slightly changing the emphasis on time.

was previously attended to

This alternative suggests giving care and attention in the past.

was formerly administered

This alternative is more suitable for formal contexts, replacing "handled" with the more official term "administered".

had been formerly overseen

This suggests a supervisory role in the previous handling, with "overseen" replacing "handled".

had been formerly processed

This alternative is best suited when the handling involves a structured or systematic approach.

was previously supervised

This suggests that the task was not only handled but also monitored and directed.

FAQs

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

You can use "was previously handled" to indicate that a task or responsibility has been transferred or changed. For instance, "The account "was previously handled" by another agency."

What are some alternatives to "was previously handled"?

Alternatives include "was formerly managed", "was previously dealt with", or "had been earlier managed", depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was previously handled"?

While "was previously handled" is in the passive voice, consider using the active voice for clarity. For example, instead of "The issue "was previously handled" by the support team", you could say "The support team previously handled the issue".

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

"Was previously handled" indicates a past action, while "is currently handled" refers to a present action. For instance, "The marketing campaign "was previously handled" by Agency A, but it is currently handled by Agency B".