I formerly assumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I formerly assumed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a past belief or assumption that has since changed or been reconsidered. Example: "I formerly assumed that all cats were aloof, but I've come to realize that many are quite affectionate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A new study, however, confirms previous suspicions that this wonderful collection in fact represents two major temporal and evolutionary periods, and not one as formerly assumed.

The Guardian

Ordinary Americans are behaving just as the banks they love to excoriate — having, formerly, assumed too much risk, they are going into hibernation.

The New York Times - Magazine

It formerly assumed there were 200,000 "downers" going to slaughter in the country -- which would mean only 12,500 tests were needed to establish the disease's existence with 95percentt probability.

The New York Times

If so, it could be hypothesized that the timing arrival of Pemón, the present-day indigenous culture in the Gran Sabana, would be ca 2000 cal yr BP onwards, rather than the last centuries, as it has been formerly assumed.

Quaternary Science Reviews

He offered a "full and complete amnesty" to those who formerly "assumed a private, unofficial hostility to the Government," so long as they now recognized the "just supremacy of the laws".

The New York Times

Terry Hartle, senior vice president at the American Council on Education, an umbrella organization for all institutions of higher education, said that most people formerly assumed that Kaplan and other leaders in the field were above reproach.

The New York Times

In addition, it is also becoming increasingly apparent that theophylline is not working solely through PDE inhibition, as formerly assumed, and that this drug has other relevant pharmacologic activities that are likely to contribute to its efficacy, such as adenosine receptor antagonism and induction of histone deacetylase.

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Recent scholarship has found less clear-cut boundaries between humanism and scholasticism than were formerly assumed, and this is also true for humanist and scholastic uses of probability-related terms.

SEP

It was established at the 8th National Congress, in 1958, to take over the policy-making role formerly assumed by the Secretariat.

Wikipedia

Among other things, many workers will continue contributing to the program for years after they were formerly assumed to transition to beneficiary status, and many more may defer collecting until they approach the age of 70.

Los Angeles Times

These results suggest that the origins of trisomic phenotypes are even more complicated than formerly assumed and that they probably involve multiple gene interactions [ 10].

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I formerly assumed" to clearly indicate a shift in your understanding or belief, adding credibility to your current perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "I formerly assumed" if you don't clearly present the updated understanding. The phrase implies a change in perspective, so ensure the new perspective is evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I formerly assumed" functions as a declarative statement indicating a past assumption that is no longer held. It typically introduces a contrast or a change in understanding.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Social Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I formerly assumed" is used to introduce a past assumption that has since been revised or found to be incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly when demonstrating a shift in understanding. Alternatives include "I previously believed" or "I used to think", providing similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly contrast the past assumption with your current understanding to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I once assumed

Uses "once" to specify the assumption was made at a specific point in the past.

I had previously assumed

Adds emphasis to the prior nature of the assumption.

I had earlier assumed

Highlights that the assumption was made earlier.

Earlier, I had assumed

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the timing of the assumption.

I initially presumed

Replaces "assumed" with "presumed", indicating a slightly stronger level of belief.

I formerly believed

Mirrors the structure but uses "believed" instead of "assumed".

I previously believed

Emphasizes a past belief without necessarily implying it was an assumption.

I used to think

Indicates a past thought or opinion that is no longer held.

It was formerly my understanding

More formal way of expressing a previous understanding.

My initial assumption was

Focuses on the assumption being the first one made.

FAQs

How can I use "I formerly assumed" in a sentence?

Use "I formerly assumed" to introduce a viewpoint you once held but now understand to be incorrect or incomplete. For example, "I formerly assumed that all cats were aloof, but my current cat is incredibly affectionate."

What's a good alternative to "I formerly assumed"?

Consider alternatives such as "I previously believed", "I used to think", or "I once assumed" for similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "I formerly assumed" in formal writing?

Yes, "I formerly assumed" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to demonstrate a shift in understanding based on new information or analysis. It conveys a sense of intellectual honesty.

What is the difference between "I formerly assumed" and "I currently assume"?

"I formerly assumed" refers to a past assumption you no longer hold, whereas "I currently assume" indicates your present understanding. They represent opposite temporal perspectives.