were previously handed in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were previously handed in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items or documents that were submitted at an earlier time. Example: "The reports that were previously handed in will be reviewed during the meeting next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may have been as early as 449 that Athenian edicts forbade the striking of silver coins by the allies or the use of currency, weights, and measures other than the Athenian and provided that previously minted local currencies should be handed in for exchange against that of Athens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

M1 macrophages, on the other hand, were previously reported to inhibit angiogenesis in mice, even in the presence of increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [ 47].

BMC Cancer

Data on 2D : 4D ratios were previously collected from right-hand photocopies in a large-scale study of a British Caucasian population (n = 1314, 572 males, 742 females).

Biology Letters

Springleaf's businesses were previously in the hands of the American International Group and Citigroup, two Wall Street powerhouses that needed billions of dollars in government bailouts to survive.

The New York Times

On the other hand, MSMB and MTRNR2L1 were previously demonstrated to be expressed in various epithelial cells [ 22, 23].

BMC Gastroenterology

The Irish band were previously nominated for an Oscar in 2003 for The Hands That Built America, a song written for Gangs of New York.

The Guardian - Music

Between 1971 and 1982, about 1,500 men and women served aboard 34 C-123s that were previously deployed in Operation Ranch Hand.

Huffington Post

DHS samples were previously described in [26].

Plosone

Conflicting helix-helix and helix-hand models were previously proposed.

Journal of Molecular Biology

According to Deadline.com, "Hunger Games" screenwriter Billy Ray has been hired to write the film, which was previously in the hands of writer Phil Alden Robinson.

Huffington Post

The new Constitution of Kenya has devolved health care management which was previously in the hands of the national government, to the level of the counties with the expectation that this will lead to better equipment, staffing and management of district hospitals.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were previously handed in", ensure the context clearly indicates what was submitted and to whom. This passive construction is suitable when the actor is less important than the action itself.

Common error

Avoid using "were previously handed in" when the agent (the person doing the handing in) is important. In such cases, use an active voice construction for clearer communication. For example, instead of "The assignments were previously handed in by the students", say "The students previously handed in the assignments".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were previously handed in" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating a past action where the subject received something. Ludwig AI confirms this serves to describe an action completed at an earlier point in time.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were previously handed in" is a passive construction used to indicate that something was submitted or delivered at an earlier time. According to Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct phrase. Given its limited presence in the provided examples, its usage frequency is best described as rare to uncommon. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding what was submitted and to whom. Alternative phrases, like "had been submitted earlier" or "were submitted in the past", can offer slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been submitted earlier

Replaces "handed in" with the more formal "submitted" and "previously" with "earlier", emphasizing the act of formal submission.

were already submitted

Emphasizes the state of being submitted using "already", rather than the timing with "previously".

had been turned in beforehand

Substitutes "handed in" with the more informal "turned in" and "previously" with "beforehand", altering the tone slightly.

had been lodged previously

Uses the more formal term "lodged" to indicate the act of officially depositing documents or items.

were submitted in the past

Replaces "handed in" with "submitted" and "previously" with "in the past", focusing on the action of submitting at some earlier time.

were presented at an earlier date

Replaces the casual "handed in" with "presented", suggesting a more formal presentation of items at a prior time.

were delivered earlier

Changes the action from "handed in" to "delivered", indicating a transfer or presentation of items.

were filed ahead of time

Indicates the act of formally filing documents before a deadline, shifting the focus from mere submission to formal filing.

had been provided before

Uses "provided" instead of "handed in", highlighting the act of supplying or making available.

were given in advance

Focuses on the act of giving something prior to a specific time, altering the context slightly.

FAQs

What does "were previously handed in" mean?

The phrase "were previously handed in" indicates that something was submitted or given to someone at an earlier time. It's a passive construction, emphasizing the action rather than the person who did the submitting.

How can I use "were previously handed in" in a sentence?

You might say, "The applications "were previously handed in" before the deadline." This shows that the applications were submitted before the specified time.

What can I say instead of "were previously handed in"?

Alternatives include "had been submitted earlier", "were submitted in the past", or "had been turned in beforehand", depending on the context and level of formality you desire.

Is it better to use "were previously handed in" or an active voice construction?

It depends on the context. If the emphasis is on the action of submitting and the actor is unimportant, "were previously handed in" is fine. However, if the actor is important, an active construction like "The students previously handed in the assignments" is clearer.