I formerly kept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I formerly kept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that you used to have or maintain in the past but no longer do. Example: "I formerly kept a diary, but I stopped writing in it years ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If you know anything about gamblers, they'd probably rather have their legs broken," says Mr Abadinsky.As a result, the syndicates have shrunk, shedding many of the thugs formerly kept around for breaking knuckles and fitting cement shoes.

The Economist

For he, being now one of the ephors, and freed from the fear which formerly kept him in some restraint, forbore no kind of oppression which might bring in gain.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For example, the barriers that formerly kept paintings, drawings and photographs sequestered in separate galleries are crumbling as contemporary artists' mixtures of photography and other techniques free curators to mix media as well.

The New York Times - Arts

At least they have Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Prize-winning dissident formerly kept under house arrest for most of the last 21 years, now an opposition leader in Parliament and chairwoman of the National League for Democracy.

The New York Times

"I have to learn diplomacy," he wrote to his father, "how to collect, how to handle a servant, how to beat the tambour, how to dance, how to bargain, how to lie, how to run the new recorder, how to take notes, how to budget and keep accounts, all on top of my personal problems, which have formerly kept me completely occupied.

The Guardian - Books

The screen was formerly kept in the Phra Thinang Amarinthara Pisek Maha Prasat; it was saved from the fire apparently by the hands of King Rama I himself.

Wikipedia

It was formerly kept as a residence for the gamekeeper, someone who manages the countryside to ensure an abundant supply of animals for hunting.

Huffington Post

The private movies, formerly kept secret from the public, drew strong reactions from some Filipinos for the glimpse they offered into the lavish life style and entertaining of the Marcos family.

Los Angeles Times

Most patients (70.5%) owned or formerly kept dogs and cats.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

They were identified at the National Herbarium in Yaoundé, Cameroon and compared with voucher specimens formerly kept under the registration number (Table  1).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The Carapelle (also called Moretta) is an Italian milk and wool sheep formerly kept in flocks of mixed breeds in the Carapelle valley, Orta Nova commune, southwest of Foggia, Apulia (Fig. 5).

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I formerly kept" when you want to emphasize that a past action or state of keeping something is no longer true. It adds a slightly formal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "formerly" excessively in your writing. Overusing it can make your text sound stilted and unnatural. Consider using simpler alternatives like "used to" or "previously" for a more natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I formerly kept" functions as a statement of past action. It indicates that the speaker engaged in the act of keeping or maintaining something in the past. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I formerly kept" is a grammatically sound way to express that you maintained or possessed something in the past but no longer do. While grammatically correct, it's relatively rare and adds a slightly formal tone to your writing. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is acceptable. Consider more common alternatives like "I used to keep" or "I previously kept" for a more natural flow. Although authoritative sources demonstrate the phrase, be mindful of overuse and ensure it fits the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I used to keep

Replaces "formerly" with "used to", providing a more common and slightly less formal alternative.

I previously kept

Substitutes "formerly" with "previously", maintaining a similar level of formality.

I once kept

Replaces "formerly" with "once", indicating a past action or state.

I had kept

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize that the keeping occurred before another point in the past.

I would keep

Employs "would" to describe a habitual action in the past.

I maintained

Replaces "kept" with "maintained", focusing on the act of upkeep or preservation.

I held

Uses "held" instead of "kept", suggesting a more physical act of keeping or possessing.

I retained

Substitutes "kept" with "retained", emphasizing the act of keeping something for a longer period.

I possessed

Replaces "kept" with "possessed", highlighting ownership or control.

I did keep

Adds emphasis to the act of keeping, using the auxiliary verb "did".

FAQs

What does "I formerly kept" mean?

The phrase "I formerly kept" means that at one point in the past, you maintained or possessed something, but you no longer do. It's a more formal way of saying "I used to keep".

What can I say instead of "I formerly kept"?

You can use alternatives like "I used to keep", "I previously kept", or "I once kept" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I formerly kept"?

Yes, "I formerly kept" is grammatically correct. It's a valid way to express that you maintained or possessed something in the past but no longer do.

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

You can use "I formerly kept" in sentences like: "I formerly kept a detailed journal, but now I only jot down occasional notes" or "I formerly kept a collection of stamps, but I sold it a few years ago".