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
we've covered this before
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
as previously discussed
as noted previously
as previously mentioned
as we have already seen
As previously discussed
as mentioned earlier
as noted before
as we talked about before
as will be discussed
as has already been stated
to reiterate a previous point
as we established earlier
as early discussed
as further discussed
as we have argued before
I have already told you
as we have discussed pertaining to
being addressed regarding
as we mentioned earlier
according to our agreement
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
3 human-written examples
We've covered this before and these members already receive a host of services including everything from job/talent postings to skill profiles to discounted and free services.
News & Media
We've covered this before but it's worth noting again.
News & Media
We've covered this before but sometimes, we all need a reminder and reinforcements.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
At 68 minutes, is this the latest ever call for an abandonment, or have there been instances of games which have been called off with seconds to go?" As one eagle-eyed reader pointed out, we have covered this before.
News & Media
We've covered this startup before, as a graduate of last year's Wayra UK accelerator intake.
News & Media
We've covered this startup before, as a graduate of last year's Wayra UK accelerator intake.
News & Media
Yes, Hulu has an official desktop application too, but this one is worth a second look (we've covered this one before).
News & Media
We've covered this (frankly) barking mad gizmo before, back in May, when its creators were exhibiting at Hardware Alley at TechCrunch Disrupt NY but they've now taken to Kickstarter to raise funds to get the device out in the wild.
News & Media
WHISK we've covered before, but this is considered a hot ticket in the UK right now, allowing users to buy whole recipes from supermarkets in a one-click basket purchase.
News & Media
We've covered tech paint before, but this is an interesting idea.
News & Media
We've covered their BookArc before and this is an improved permutation of the version for the latest MacBook Air.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always provide a hyperlink or a clear reference to the specific previous work being mentioned to maximize the utility for the reader.
Common error
Do not use the phrase to discourage new questions from your audience. If used without a helpful link or summary, it can come across as impatient rather than referential.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase acts as an independent clause using the present perfect tense to bridge past actions with current relevance. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as a contextual anchor, allowing writers to skip basic explanations and focus on new developments.
Frequent in
News & Media
85%
Formal & Business
10%
Science
5%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
2%
Social Media
1%
Reference
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "we've covered this before" is a vital tool for content creators and professional writers who need to manage reader expectations while maintaining a consistent narrative thread. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, the expression is a staple in high-tier journalism, appearing frequently in outlets like TechCrunch and The New York Times to signal that the topic has a documented history. It effectively uses the present perfect tense to show that past efforts are still relevant today. To use it most effectively, writers should ensure they are using it as a bridge to more advanced information rather than a dismissal of the subject, ideally pairing it with direct links to the previous coverage mentioned.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
as previously discussed
Increases the level of formality, making it suitable for academic or corporate environments
we've already addressed this
Suggests a more definitive or problem-solving tone regarding the subject matter
this was mentioned earlier
Uses a passive structure to focus more on the information than the person who provided it
as noted previously
A concise and professional way to refer to earlier documentation
we have touched upon this before
Implies a brief or non-exhaustive previous mention rather than deep coverage
as mentioned in our previous coverage
Specifically emphasizes a journalistic or editorial history
we've already gone over this
Can sound slightly more instructional or repetitive depending on the context
this point has been explored already
Emphasizes the depth of the previous analysis
as we have already seen
Common in educational contexts where the audience is being guided through a process
we've already spoken about this
More conversational and appropriate for spoken dialogue or informal emails
FAQs
How to use "we've covered this before" in a sentence?
You can use it to introduce a recurring topic, such as: "we've covered this before, but the latest updates warrant a second look".
What can I say instead of "we've covered this before"?
You can use more formal alternatives like "as previously discussed", "as noted previously" or "we've already addressed this".
Is "we've covered this before" suitable for business writing?
Yes, it is common in business reports and journalism to acknowledge prior work, though "as previously mentioned" is often preferred for strictly formal documents.
What is the difference between "we've covered this before" and "we covered this"?
The present perfect "we've covered this before" implies that the previous coverage has current relevance, whereas "we covered this" simply states a finished past action.
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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
88%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested