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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 quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

we've covered this before

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

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

TechCrunch

We've covered this before but it's worth noting again.

News & Media

TechCrunch

We've covered this before but sometimes, we all need a reminder and reinforcements.

News & Media

Huffington Post

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.

We've covered this startup before, as a graduate of last year's Wayra UK accelerator intake.

News & Media

TechCrunch

We've covered this startup before, as a graduate of last year's Wayra UK accelerator intake.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Yes, Hulu has an official desktop application too, but this one is worth a second look (we've covered this one before).

News & Media

TechCrunch

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

TechCrunch

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

TechCrunch

We've covered tech paint before, but this is an interesting idea.

News & Media

TechCrunch

We've covered their BookArc before and this is an improved permutation of the version for the latest MacBook Air.

News & Media

TechCrunch
Show more...

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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Common

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.

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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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: