I formerly was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I formerly was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a past state or condition that has since changed. Example: "I formerly was a teacher before I transitioned to a career in writing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A I think Cassidy Turley formerly was probably the largest and most productive of the Colliers entities in the United States.

The New York Times

But I had formerly been a great Lover of Fish, & when this came hot out of the Frying Pan, it smeled admirably well.

The New Yorker

By the time I turned 35, I was near-broke, hadn't had a writing job in 18 months and was working the front desk of the spinning gym that I had formerly been a customer at.

Huffington Post

Noyon formerly was an important ecclesiastical centre.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He formerly was chief financial officer.

The New York Times

Morrison Hall formerly was called West College.

Princeton University

Your attorney, Mr. Holscher, formerly was an assistant United States attorney.

The New York Times

Mr. Denison, 60, formerly was chief financial officer at Southwest Airlines.

The New York Times

Formerly Was Soldier and Newspuper Man' -- Saw Maximilian Executed.

The New York Times

Patel formerly was CFO of Looking Glass Networks.

Forbes

He formerly was a business professor at Syracuse University in New York.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To achieve a more formal tone, you can use "I formerly was" instead of "I used to be".

Common error

Avoid using "I formerly was" when you should be using "I was formerly". The placement of "formerly" can significantly alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I formerly was" functions as a declarative statement indicating a past state or identity that is no longer current. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and is utilized to denote a change in status or role.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

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Academia

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I formerly was" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal way to express a past state or role that has since changed. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While not as common as alternatives like "I used to be", it maintains a neutral to formal tone suitable for professional or academic contexts. To ensure proper usage, pay attention to word order and context. Remember that the position of 'formerly' affects meaning. When aiming for a less formal expression, consider using "I used to be".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I used to be

This is a common and direct way to express a past state.

I was previously

Indicates a prior role or condition.

I had been

Implies a past state that existed for a period of time.

I once was

Suggests a state or condition that is no longer true.

I have been in the past

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the past condition.

Earlier, I was

Highlights a previous state in a chronological sequence.

Before, I was

Similar to 'earlier', but more general.

In the past, I was

Explicitly refers to a time in the past.

My former self was

Emphasizes a change in personal identity or state.

I am no longer what I was

Highlights a significant transformation from a past state.

FAQs

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

Use "I formerly was" to indicate a past state or role that has changed. For example, "I formerly was a software engineer, but now I manage a team."

What are some alternatives to "I formerly was"?

You can use phrases like "I used to be", "I was previously", or "I had been" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I formerly was" or "I used to be"?

"I formerly was" is more formal, while "I used to be" is more casual. Choose the phrase that fits the tone of your writing or conversation.

What's the difference between "I formerly was" and "I was formerly"?

"I formerly was" emphasizes the change in your state or role, while "I was formerly" emphasizes the previous role itself. For example, "I formerly was a student" focuses on your transition, while "I was formerly a student" focuses on your past status.