we previously understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we previously understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a prior comprehension or interpretation of information or a situation. Example: "In our last meeting, we previously understood that the project deadline was set for next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Research on early childhood and brain development concludes that the first years of life have a much greater and more lasting impact on children's future growth and learning than we previously understood.

Forbes

Every new climate change model shows a greater threat than we previously understood.

Huffington Post

New info shows methane emissions from existing sources in oil & gas sector are substantially higher than we previously understood.

Vice

Those approaches revisit some of the basic premises of stage theories suggesting that child development might be more influenced by environmental circumstances and cultural differences than we previously understood (4).

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"We have to try to understand humans as a driver of geology, just as we've previously understood massive volcanic outbursts and meteorite impacts," he told me.

The New Yorker

But these are phones created in a very different context to Android devices as we've previously understood them.

TechCrunch

Zero-dimensional points; one-dimensional lines; two-dimensional planes, like squares; and three-dimensional solids, such as cubes, make up the world as we have previously understood it, but many natural phenomena like a length of coast line and the shape of clouds are better described with a dimension partway between two whole numbers.

Handbook of Geophysical Exploration: Seismic Exploration

Supported by "stunning visual forensic evidence", it claims that the handwriting in some of the original Bach manuscripts was not that of a mere transcriber or copyist, as we had previously understood Anna Magdalena to be, but bears the hallmarks of a mind in the act of creation.

BBC

These data imply that meningococcal dissemination in vivo is more complicated than we have previously understood.

Plosone

"Maybe we have more risk here than was previously understood, which in turn affects the capital that these insurance companies need to carry".

The Guardian

We found that police shoot twice as many people as previously understood, but in some departments shootings are on the decline in recent years.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we previously understood", ensure the context clearly indicates who "we" refers to (e.g., a team, a field of study, society). This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "we previously understood" when you mean "I previously understood". The phrase implies a shared understanding, so use it only when referring to a group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we previously understood" functions as a clause element, typically introducing a statement that contrasts a past belief or comprehension with a current one. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts to indicate a change in understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we previously understood" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight a change in understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. It's crucial to ensure clarity about who "we" refers to. When a more formal tone is needed, consider alternatives like "our prior understanding". Avoid using it when referring to personal understanding. Overall, it's a useful phrase for indicating shifts in knowledge and perspective. Make sure you use it correctly for the group you are referring to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what we once thought

Replaces "understood" with "thought" emphasizing a past belief that has changed.

how we used to see it

Replaces "understood" with "see it", focusing on perspective.

our former understanding

Nominalizes "understood" creating a noun phrase to discuss a past comprehension.

what we initially believed

Substitutes "understood" with "believed", highlighting an earlier conviction.

as we had thought before

Emphasizes the contrast between a previous and current state of knowledge.

the earlier interpretation

Replaces "we previously understood" with a more formal phrasing about previous interpretations.

our initial perception

Replaces "understood" with "perception", focusing on the initial sensory or intuitive grasp.

what was formerly known

Shifts focus to general knowledge instead of personal understanding.

our past conception

Emphasizes a previous mental image or idea that has been revised.

the old paradigm

Uses a more abstract term to represent a previous way of thinking.

FAQs

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

Use "we previously understood" to indicate a shift in understanding within a group or field. For example, "We previously understood the disease to be caused by a virus, but new research suggests a bacterial origin."

What's a formal alternative to "we previously understood"?

A more formal alternative could be "our prior understanding" or "the earlier interpretation". These phrases are suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it correct to say 'we previously understand' instead of "we previously understood"?

No, "we previously understand" is grammatically incorrect. The correct tense to use when referring to a past understanding is "we previously understood".

What's the difference between "we previously understood" and "we now understand"?

"We previously understood" indicates a past understanding that has since changed, while "we now understand" refers to our current understanding, often implying a contrast with the past. Both phrases are often used together to highlight a shift in comprehension.