when he was previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when he was previously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time in the past when someone was in a certain state or situation before the current context. Example: "When he was previously employed at the company, he gained valuable experience in project management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Harding did not disclose the full circumstances when he was previously questioned by the inquiry.

The Guardian

Hunt wants to know if Rudd will table the warnings he got when he was previously prime minister about problems associated with the scheme.

The Guardian

During a recent debate, George Allen, the Republican nominee for a Senate seat from Virginia, talked about working with Hillary Rodham Clinton when he was previously in the Senate.

The New York Times

Most of its judges were appointed by Mr Ciampi's predecessor, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, who clashed repeatedly with Mr Berlusconi when he was previously in office in 1994.Yet that scarcely makes the judges "communists".

The Economist

In the impromptu interview in the shop in Ghazaliya, General Petraeus also responded to recent reports by the Government Accountability Office and the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction that were critical of his handling of hundreds of thousands of weapons given to Iraqi security forces when he was previously in charge of training those forces.

The New York Times

He says he is totally innocent of any involvement and claims that police tried to suggest he was recruited as a police Special Branch agent and later an informer for MI5 when he was previously arrested in 1972 and taken to a British Army barracks outside Belfast.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

A likely stand-in is Mr Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah, who ran the party when he was barred previously.

The Economist

This is the same player who passed a medical with Forest when he was there previously on loan.

Independent

She said her computer's hard drive had been tampered with when she was previously in China, and that Communist Party officials questioned people she spoke with there.

The New York Times

Mr Garcia, a Mexican-American who moved to the US when he was 10 and previously served as an Illinois state senator, champions progressive liberal economic issues like income inequality, raising the minimum wage and strong teachers' unions.

BBC

Charles A. Heimbold Jr. was chairman and chief executive of the company through September 2001, when he was succeeded by Peter R. Dolan, previously president of Bristol-Myers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "when he was previously", ensure that the subsequent information relates directly to the consequences or changes that occurred since that previous time. This helps maintain a clear and logical flow of information.

Common error

Avoid using "when he was previously" without clearly linking it to a current state or situation. Ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates the contrast or connection between the past and present circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when he was previously" functions as an adverbial clause, providing temporal context to the main clause. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It introduces information about a past state or role of the subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when he was previously" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial clause that provides temporal context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted in written English, particularly in news and media. This phrase serves to give background information, compare past and present situations, or offer context to understand a subject's current state based on their prior experiences. Consider using it to add depth and clarity to your writing by highlighting relevant past circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when he had previously been

Slightly more formal restatement of the original phrase.

in his former role

Highlights a past position or capacity the person held.

when he formerly served

Focuses on a past service or duty.

in his past capacity

Stresses a previous ability or function.

during his prior tenure

Emphasizes the time period of a previous position or role.

during his earlier term

Refers to a previous period of holding office or a specific role.

when previously employed

Focuses specifically on prior employment.

during his time before

Simplifies the reference to a past period.

at an earlier stage

More general, referring to a previous point in time.

in his previous incarnation

More metaphorical, suggesting a transformation from a former self or role.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when he was previously"?

Alternatives include "during his prior tenure", "in his former role", or "when he formerly served", depending on the specific context.

Is "when he was previously" grammatically correct?

Yes, "when he was previously" is grammatically correct and commonly used to refer to a past state or role. It is important to ensure proper context and clear sentence structure.

What is the difference between "when he was previously" and "formerly"?

"When he was previously" is a phrase used to add context, whereas "formerly" is an adverb that can replace it. For example, "when he was previously the manager" versus "he was formerly the manager".

How to use "when he was previously" in a sentence?

You can use it to provide background information or contrast a past state with a current one. For example, "When he was previously in government, Johnson was the Pentagon's top lawyer."