1. at an earlier time; before now
在較早的時間；先前
I had previously worked as a teacher.
我之前曾擔任過教師。
The building was previously a factory.
這棟建築先前是一座工廠。
Previously Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
previously
adverb
快速理解
What does "Previously" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Previously"?
表示某事件或狀態發生在更早的時間點。
- 1
時間順序
EN: at an earlier time; before now or before a particular time.
翻譯: 在更早的時間；在此之前或某個特定時間之前。
- 2
過去狀態
EN: used to describe a state or condition that existed in the past but may have changed.
翻譯: 用於描述過去存在但可能已改變的狀態或情況。
- 3
前文提及
EN: referring back to something mentioned earlier in a text or conversation.
翻譯: 指回在文本或對話中先前提到的事物。
小提醒：注意 'previously' 與 'before' 的細微差別。'previously' 通常用於敘述過去的事件順序或對比前後狀態，語氣較正式且明確指向『之前某個時間點』；而 'before' 用法更廣泛，可作副詞、介系詞或連接詞，在口語中更常見。
發音（How to Pronounce "Previously" in English）
How to pronounce "Previously" in English?"Previously" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Previously" from YouTube Videos
Why are these 32 symbols found in caves all over Europe | Genevieve von Petzinger | TED
TED
“In this video clip that was shot half a kilometer, or about a third of a mile, underground in the cave of Cudon in Spain, we found a series of red paintings on a ceiling in a previously unexplored section of the cave.”
(1 out of 24)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Previously"?How does "Previously" change by context?
2. used to refer to something mentioned earlier in a text or conversation
用於指代文本或對話中先前提到的事物
As previously stated, the meeting will start at 9 AM.
如前所述，會議將於上午九點開始。
The previously mentioned issue has now been resolved.
先前提到的問題現已解決。
3. before a particular event or point in time
在某個特定事件或時間點之前
She had never previously visited the country.
她之前從未造訪過這個國家。
The software was updated, fixing a bug that previously caused crashes.
軟體已更新，修復了先前導致當機的錯誤。
4. in a former state or condition
處於先前的狀態或條件下
The land was previously owned by a local farmer.
這塊土地先前由一位當地農民擁有。
He was previously married but is now single.
他之前結過婚，但現在是單身。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Previously"?How to make natural sentences with "Previously"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| previously + past participle (e.g., previously known) | 以前…的；先前…的 | The previously unknown artist became famous overnight. (這位先前不為人知的藝術家一夜成名。) |
| previously + adjective | 以前…的；過去…的 | The previously quiet street is now full of noise. (這條以前很安靜的街道現在充滿了噪音。) |
| previously + on + [TV show, story, etc.] | 在…之前的情節；前情提要 | Previously on this series, the hero was captured. (在本劇集之前的情節中，主角被俘虜了。) |
| as previously mentioned/stated/reported | 如前所述；如前所提 | As previously mentioned, the deadline cannot be extended. (如前所述，截止日期無法延長。) |
| previously + in + [time period] (e.g., previously in history) | 在歷史上更早的時期；在過去的某個時期 | Previously in the 19th century, communication was much slower. (在更早的19世紀，通訊要慢得多。) |
用法說明
How is "Previously" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Previously"?
previously + past participle vs. previously + simple past
- previously + past participle 通常用於被動語態或完成式中，強調在過去某個時間點之前已經完成的動作或存在的狀態。
- previously + simple past 則直接描述在過去某個時間點之前發生的動作或事件，焦點在於事件本身。
- 在許多情況下，兩者可以互換，但使用過去分詞（如
previously thought,previously owned）時，常帶有「被認為」、「被擁有」等被動含義。 - 當句子主語是動作的執行者時，更常使用簡單過去式（如
previously worked,previously lived）。 EN: The artifact, previously believed to be a replica, was confirmed as authentic. 翻譯: 這件文物先前被認為是複製品，現已確認是真品。
EN:She previously worked at a bank before becoming a teacher.
翻譯:她在成為老師之前，先前是在銀行工作的。
總結建議
在描述過去某時間點之前的狀態或已完成動作時，可優先使用「previously + past participle」；若單純敘述過去發生的動作，則使用「previously + simple past」。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Previously" and similar words?How to choose "Previously" vs alternatives?
previously vs before
「previously」通常指在過去某個特定時間點或事件之前，較正式且多用於書面；「before」則更通用，可指時間、順序或位置上的在前，口語和書面皆常用。
previously vs ago
「previously」描述過去某個時間點之前的狀態或動作；「ago」則從現在往回推算一段時間，表示「距今...以前」。
previously vs formerly
兩者皆可譯為「以前」，但「formerly」特指身份、職位或狀態的改變，強調「過去是但現在已不是」；「previously」泛指時間上的先前。
口語用法
How is "Previously" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Previously"?
引述
在對話中，用來引述或提及之前已經提過或發生過的事情。 EN: As I mentioned previously, the deadline is flexible. 翻譯: 就像我之前提過的，截止日期是有彈性的。
EN:Previously, you said you were interested in the marketing role.
翻譯:之前，你說過你對行銷職位有興趣。
語氣強調
用來強調時間上的對比，凸顯情況已經改變。 EN: He was previously very quiet, but now he's the life of the party. 翻譯: 他以前非常安靜，但現在成了派對上的靈魂人物。
EN:This area was previously a parking lot, before they built the park.
翻譯:在他們蓋公園之前，這塊地以前是個停車場。
停頓填充
作為說話時的思考填充詞，用來爭取時間組織後續句子，常見於較正式的對話或簡報。 EN: The project timeline, previously... let me check the exact dates. 翻譯: 這個專案的時程，之前…讓我確認一下確切日期。
EN:Our strategy was, previously, focused on expansion, but now we're consolidating.
翻譯:我們的策略，之前，是著重在擴張，但現在我們正在整合。
注意：在正式書寫（如報告、論文）中，應避免將 "previously" 用作停頓填充詞，以保持文章的簡潔與流暢。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Previously"?What fixed phrases with "Previously" should I remember?
as previously mentioned
as previously + past participle
如前所述
previously on
previously on + [TV show/Series name]
前情提要（用於電視節目）
previously thought
previously thought/believed
先前認為的
previously unknown
previously unknown
先前未知的
previously owned
previously owned (by)
先前擁有的（二手）
previously worked
previously worked (as/at)
先前工作（擔任/任職於）
previously scheduled
previously scheduled/appointed
先前安排好的
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Previously"?Which "Previously" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I previously have visited Japan.
✓I have previously visited Japan.
在現在完成式中，'previously' 通常放在助動詞 'have' 之後、主要動詞之前。
×I saw him previously two days.
✓I saw him two days before.
表示「在特定時間點之前」時，若後面接具體的時間段（如 two days, a week），通常使用 'before' 而非 'previously'。'Previously' 更常單獨使用或修飾動詞，表示「在更早的時間」。
×He had previously already finished the report.
✓He had already finished the report.
在過去完成式（had + past participle）中，使用 'already' 通常已暗示動作在過去某時間點之前完成，加上 'previously' 會顯得多餘。兩者擇一即可。
×I am previously a student.
✓I was previously a student.
'Previously' 指的是過去某個時間點之前的狀態或動作，因此動詞必須使用過去式，不能與現在式（am/is/are）連用。
×Previously to the event, we prepared carefully.
✓We prepared carefully for the event beforehand. / Prior to the event, we prepared carefully.
'Previously' 是副詞，不應與 'to' 結合當作介系詞使用。表示「在...之前」應使用 'prior to', 'before', 或將 'previously'/'beforehand' 放在句中適當位置。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Previously"?What are tense/participle forms of "Previously"?