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earlier

English translation: both are correct and interchangeable in most contexts

15:01 Apr 16, 2011
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Other / Grammar Reference
English term or phrase: earlier
What tense should we use with the word "earlier": Simple Past or Present Perfect?
It was mentioned earlier that ....
It has been mentioned earlier that ....
Are both sentences correct?
Thanks
carlapaoloni
Selected answer:both are correct and interchangeable in most contexts
Explanation:
It HAD been mentioned earlier ... would also be correct in certain circumstances.
Selected response from:

Jennifer Levey
Chile
Local time: 02:22
Grading comment
Thank you so much! You really helped!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +4both are correct and interchangeable in most contexts
Jennifer Levey
5yes => but not great
airmailrpl
3nuances of meaning
Stephanie Ezrol


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +4
both are correct and interchangeable in most contexts


Explanation:
It HAD been mentioned earlier ... would also be correct in certain circumstances.

Jennifer Levey
Chile
Local time: 02:22
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you so much! You really helped!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M
14 mins
agree  Tina Vonhof (X): I would prefer 'was mentioned'.
27 mins
neutral  Donna Stevens: It also depends on the tense used in the rest of the text. If it is primarily in the present tense, then the present perfect might be preferable.
38 mins
agree  Thayenga
2 hrs
agree  Phong Le
21 hrs
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3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
yes => but not great


Explanation:
Are both sentences correct? yes but not great

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 mins (2011-04-16 15:06:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It was mentioned earlier that ....=> it was mentioned in the past

It has been mentioned earlier that ....=> It has been mentioned in the past that ....

airmailrpl
Brazil
Local time: 03:22
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 56

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: I don't think your modifications help, indeed, could change the meaning. Suppose, for example, the writer was referring to something that had been mentioned earlier in the same book; changing that to 'in the past' would quite change the meaning.
16 mins
  -> seems unanimous
neutral  Jennifer Levey: Agreer with Tony. Another example: A conference speaker might say: "It was mentioned earlier that I don't like making speeches." That would probably refer to a comment made barely 2 or 3 minutes earlier - that doesn't qualify as 'past'.
25 mins
  -> seems unanimous
neutral  Tina Vonhof (X): Agree with Tony, in fact it is most often used in books and articles.
25 mins
  -> seems unanimous
neutral  Donna Stevens: It also depends on the tense used in the rest of the text. If it is primarily in the present tense, then the present perfect might be preferable.
37 mins
  -> seems unanimous
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
nuances of meaning


Explanation:
There are slightly different nuances of meaning between "was" and "has been."

Has been as the present perfect tense: "indicates that from the point of view of the present time, the actions has been completed" emphasizing a present experience , as in the sense that it has just happened or quite recently happened. It should be fresh in everyone's memory.

Was, as your context of was mentioned, is less definitive about the timing of the past event.

If earlier, in your context, means recently then I would suggest has been. If earlier means some time earlier, more like several months or years earlier, I would suggest was mentioned.

These defintions are from a 2001 grammar text by C.Frederick Farrell, Jr. that compares French and English grammar. They also make sense in that sense of a nuance of meaning.



Stephanie Ezrol
United States
Local time: 02:22
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 64
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