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 seen this before
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

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

45 human-written examples

We've seen this before, though.

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

"We've seen this before," Mr. Whetstone said.

News & Media

The New York Times

We've seen this before, of course.

News & Media

The New York Times

We've seen this before, typically at start of Republican Administrations.

Academia

Columbia University

We've seen this before in the musical context.

News & Media

The New York Times

We've seen this before, with wireless fobs for keyless cars.

News & Media

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Yeah, those things are cute in a basic, we've-seen-this-before sort of way.

News & Media

Huffington Post

"We have seen this before," says one.

News & Media

The Economist

"We have seen this before," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

We have seen this before, specifically on Jan . 6 , 1994

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

We have seen this before in Philippine public life.

News & Media

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow the phrase with a specific example or date (e.g., "...back in 2008") to strengthen the comparison and provide clarity to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase as a standalone statement without explaining exactly what was seen before. Without a following explanation or specific reference, the phrase can sound like an empty cliché or a lazy generalization.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we've seen this before" functions as a declarative clause used to establish a precedent. In Ludwig, examples show it often serves as a transition to compare a current event to a historical or recurring situation, frequently using the present perfect tense to bridge the past and the present.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

Reference

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "we've seen this before" is an indispensable phrase for writers who need to anchor current events in the past. Ludwig AI data reveals its overwhelming prevalence in top-tier journalism, where it serves as a bridge between immediate news and historical cycles. Whether used in a Yale lecture to describe economic trends or in The New York Times to analyze political shifts, the phrase effectively communicates that history is rarely a one-time event. By using this expression, authors can provide readers with a sense of perspective and continuity, provided they follow up with specific evidence to ground their comparison.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This isn't the first time

A simple, conversational way to point out previous occurrences.

We've been here before

Uses a spatial metaphor to describe a recurring state or dilemma.

This is nothing new

Carries a more dismissive or skeptical tone regarding the novelty of the situation.

This follows a familiar pattern

More analytical and less personal than using the first-person plural "we".

We have encountered this previously

A more formal version, suitable for technical reports or academic writing.

We are seeing a repeat of

Emphasizes the active observation of the recurrence in real-time.

This is a recurring scenario

Formal and emphasizes the structural nature of the event.

History is repeating itself

Adds a sense of inevitability or dramatic weight to the recurrence.

This echoes previous events

Suggests a resonance or similarity rather than an exact duplicate.

A familiar story is unfolding

Narrative-driven and often used in journalism to introduce a comparison.

FAQs

How do I use "we've seen this before" in a sentence?

It is typically used to introduce a comparison, such as "we've seen this before in the tech industry, where hype often outpaces actual utility".

What can I say instead of "we've seen this before" in a formal report?

In formal contexts, you might prefer "this follows a familiar pattern" or "this is a recurring scenario" to avoid the conversational 'we've'.

Is it correct to say "we have seen this before"?

Yes, "we have seen this before" is the uncontracted, more formal version of the phrase. Both are grammatically correct, but the uncontracted version is often used for emphasis.

What's the difference between "we've seen this before" and "this is nothing new"?

While similar, "this is nothing new" is slightly more dismissive, whereas "we've seen this before" simply notes the recurrence as a matter of fact.

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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

89%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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we've seen this beforeGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

we've seen this before
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples