Abovesaid vs. Aforesaid — What's the Difference?

Abovesaid is typically used to refer specifically to something mentioned previously in a document, emphasizing its position above the current reference point. Whereas aforesaid also refers to prior mentions, but with an emphasis on the reference being formally acknowledged before in the discussion.

Abovesaid often appears in legal or formal documents to denote elements that have been discussed in the preceding text. On the other hand, aforesaid tends to be used more broadly in legal contexts to indicate any prior mention that is legally binding or significant, regardless of its position.

The usage of abovesaid can serve as a directive to look at a specific part of a text that appears earlier. In contrast, aforesaid acts more as a generic reference, pointing back to a previously mentioned subject without focusing on its exact textual position.

In practical applications, abovesaid is less common today and may appear outdated or overly formal in everyday usage. Conversely, aforesaid, while still formal, is more commonly encountered in legal documents, contracts, and decrees.

Both terms are mainly found in written language and are rarely used in everyday spoken English. Aforesaid, however, retains a slightly more frequent usage due to its common presence in legal and formal writings.