previously

previously — adverb

1. at a point in time that comes before the present moment or a particular past mom

1.adverbB1
Definition

at a point in time that comes before the present moment or a particular past moment that has been mentioned

Example

Previously, Ryan worked as a cook in a small restaurant.

sentence adverb at start of clause

Gabriela had previously visited Japan twice with her family.

mid-position with past perfect

Common collocations
  • previously mentioned
  • previously unknown
  • previously held
  • previously owned
  • as previously stated
Synonyms
  • formerly

    more formal; often used for jobs, roles, or official statuses

  • earlier

    more informal and common in everyday conversation

  • beforehand

    highlights that something happened in preparation for something else

Antonyms
  • later

    opposite time direction — after the present or mentioned time

  • subsequently

    more formal; refers to something that comes after in sequence

Grammar Patterns

previously + past simple

previously + past perfect

previously + present perfect

Usage Note

Previously can go at the beginning of a sentence (with a comma), in the middle before the main verb, or at the end. It is most commonly used with past simple, past perfect, or present perfect tenses.

Common Mistakes

I previously go to that school.
I previously went to that school.
previously refers to past time, so use a past or perfect tense, not present simple.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Previously is the most neutral and versatile of these words, fitting both formal and informal contexts. Formerly carries a more formal tone and is often used when describing a person's past job, role, or a place's old name or purpose (e.g., "the building was formerly a church"). Earlier is more conversational and can refer to any point closer to the present or a mentioned time (e.g., "I sent the email earlier today"). Beforehand emphasizes that an action was done in preparation for something else (e.g., "if you are coming, let me know beforehand so I can buy enough food"). Use previously when you simply need to state that something happened before now or before a past reference point, without the added formality of formerly, the looseness of earlier, or the pre-planning sense of beforehand.

previously ↗formerly ↗earlier ↗beforehand

Common collocations

Phrases

  • as previously stated
  • as previously mentioned
  • as previously discussed

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From previous (15th-century Latin praevius, from prae- 'before' + via 'road') plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly. The word 'previous' appeared in English in the 1620s, and 'previously' followed as its adverbial form shortly after.