previously
She had previously worked in marketing before switching to finance.
This shows that her current job is not her first career.
at an earlier time; before now
The company had previously announced a new product line.
This means the announcement happened before the current moment.
He had previously visited Paris in 2018.
This indicates his trip to Paris was before the present time.
Often used to contrast past and present situations or states.
Collocations
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Time Context
Use 'previously' to refer to an earlier time in a sequence of events.
Gold Rule
Formal Usage
'Previously' is more formal than 'before' or 'earlier' and is often used in written communication.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'previusly', from Old French 'previus', from Latin 'prior' (earlier).
Usage Notes
Often used in formal writing, legal documents, and technical contexts to establish chronological order.