we had previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we had previously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that occurred before a certain point in time or before another event. Example: "In our last meeting, we had previously discussed the budget allocation for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We had previously been mocked for our deference and timidity.

The New York Times - Magazine

Drugs we had previously barely heard of became commonplace.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We had previously tested low-priced DACs and were disappointed.

The New York Times - Tech

We had previously referred to each other as "boyfriend".

The New York Times

Countries that we had previously thought were totally secure, are no longer.

Harvard University

We had previously had success with snapping so we used that for left.

Cornell University

Parkcentral decided the appeal from a district court decision that we had previously written about here.

Harvard University

Now we know it's a much more dynamic situation than we had previously thought.

Stanford University

We had previously observed the same behavior in squaramide complexes with cations.

Chemical Physics Letters

We had previously described that celiprolol stiffened large-sized elastic artery (common carotid artery) in vEDS.

Archives of Cardiovascular Diseases

We had previously presented a model for solid propellant decomposition in a combustion chamber.

Chemical Engineering Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we had previously" to clearly indicate that information or actions occurred before the current point of discussion. This helps establish context and avoids confusion for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "we had previously" in informal writing or narratives where the context is already clear. Simpler alternatives like "earlier" or "before" can often suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we had previously" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action, statement, or piece of information occurred at an earlier time. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which finds that the expression is grammatically correct and suitable for academic and professional writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we had previously" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating prior occurrences. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific, academic, and journalistic writing. While highly versatile, it's essential to consider the level of formality required, and in simple narratives, alternatives like "earlier" or "before" can be more appropriate. To maintain clarity and prevent repetition, using related phrases such as "we mentioned earlier" or "we stated before" can be effective. Remember to avoid overuse in informal writing and always ensure the context is clear when referencing past events. Ludwig AI provides ample evidence for the validity and utility of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we mentioned earlier

Changes the verb to "mentioned" and uses "earlier" instead of "previously", implying a prior reference.

we stated before

Substitutes "stated" for "had" and "previously", focusing on a formal declaration made at an earlier time.

we noted earlier

Replaces "had previously" with "noted earlier", indicating a prior observation or acknowledgment.

we indicated before

Uses "indicated" instead of "had previously", suggesting a prior signal or communication.

we established earlier

Emphasizes the act of setting up or proving something at a prior time, using "established" in place of "had previously".

we determined earlier

Focuses on the act of finding something out beforehand, swapping for "had previously".

we found before

Uses "found" in place of "had previously", implying a prior discovery.

we observed earlier

Emphasizes prior observation using the verb "observed" instead of "had previously".

we reported earlier

Focuses on the act of reporting something beforehand, swapping "previously" for "earlier".

as we discussed previously

Adds "as" to frame the prior discussion, highlighting the context of the previous interaction.

FAQs

How can I use "we had previously" in a sentence?

The phrase "we had previously" is used to refer to something that occurred or was mentioned at an earlier time. For example, "We had previously discussed the budget allocation for the upcoming project".

What can I say instead of "we had previously"?

You can use alternatives like "we mentioned earlier", "we stated before", or "we noted earlier" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we had previously" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "we had previously" can sound overly formal in casual contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "earlier" or "before" for a more natural tone.

What's the difference between "we had previously" and "we already"?

"We had previously" emphasizes that something happened before a specific point in time, whereas "we already" simply indicates that something has already occurred, without necessarily specifying the temporal relationship as precisely. For instance, "We had previously established guidelines" is more precise than "We already established guidelines".