at erstwhile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at erstwhile" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
The term "erstwhile" means "former" or "previous," and it is typically used as an adjective without the preposition "at." Example: "The erstwhile leader of the organization has stepped down."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In reality: The show actually happened at erstwhile Compton skating ring Skateland, whose kiddie pleasures were indeed belied by the overwhelming presence of Bloods.

The Guardian - Film

Our political leaders smile at erstwhile laugh lines calling for the failure of Rush Limbaugh's kidneys, while they promise a cradle-to-grave utopia that no mere mortals can deliver.

Forbes

The challenges stem from what Morris says is a popular tactic among the big waste companies of leaving their dumpsters at erstwhile clients' properties indefinitely, creating a logistical and space headache that helps make them return into the fold.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"To enjoy a glass of wine," he says, "you need to take some time; you need to take pleasure in it". David Haskell, who was wine director at the erstwhile Aubergine in Newport Beach and at Aquavit in New York City, plans to open Bin 8945 in West Hollywood (8945 refers to the Santa Monica Boulevard address) in April.

Los Angeles Times

The tone was set the minute Nick Clegg took his first potshot at his erstwhile boss: everyone against David Cameron, big guns scrapping among themselves, smaller ones largely ignored.

The Guardian - Opinion

The incorporation of earlier bits, conscientiously mentioned in the catalog, would invite derision from connoisseurs, amused at some erstwhile dealer's trick meant to take in inexperienced buyers.

The New York Times - Arts

After a tense pause, she picks up her child and moves to the sailor's side, turning only to throw her wedding ring at her erstwhile husband.

The New York Times - Arts

There's further confirmation in the chapter of "Amarcord" that chronicles their dealings with Judith Jones at their erstwhile publishing house, Alfred A. Knopf.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Unger said he was not angry at his erstwhile British publisher, but rather unnerved by his crash course in British libel law.

The New York Times - Books

Bosses at other erstwhile high-flying firms, such as 3M, Procter & Gamble, Eastman Kodak and Motorola, also know that they are being watched.European and Japanese firms could soon find themselves in the same situation.

The Economist

Looking at my erstwhile girlfriends through his eyes, I didn't like them any less, but I began to see how lost they were, in their delinquent, neglected-child glamour, their sexual precocity.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at erstwhile" in your writing. Instead, use alternatives like "formerly at" or "previously at" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

The word "erstwhile" means 'former' or 'previous' and is an adjective. Don't use it with the preposition "at". Instead, restructure your sentence to use "formerly" or "previously" to correctly indicate a past association or state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at erstwhile" functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase attempting to modify a noun. However, this usage violates standard English grammar. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at erstwhile" is an incorrect grammatical construction that attempts to indicate a past association or state. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. While it appears in some news and media sources, this does not validate its usage. Correct alternatives like "formerly at" or "previously at" should be used instead to maintain grammatical accuracy. Because "erstwhile" is an adjective meaning former, you should not add prepositions to it, or it would be misused.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly at

Replaces "at erstwhile" with the adverb "formerly", indicating a previous association.

previously at

Uses "previously" instead of "erstwhile", offering a more common and straightforward alternative.

once at

Employs "once" to denote a past association, suitable for simpler contexts.

used to be at

Replaces "erstwhile" with a more descriptive phrase indicating a past state.

in the past at

Provides a broader temporal context, highlighting that the association occurred in the past.

at the former

Uses "former" as an adjective before the noun to correctly indicate a previous state or position.

at the old

Uses "old" instead of "erstwhile", this conveys a sense of something outdated or no longer current.

at the one-time

Uses "one-time" as a substitute for "erstwhile", this emphasizes something that happened only once.

at the prior

Replace "erstwhile" with prior which highlights a previous state.

at what was

It completely rephrases the initial query to introduce the previous status of someone or something.

FAQs

Why is "at erstwhile" considered grammatically incorrect?

The term "erstwhile" is an adjective meaning 'former' or 'previous' and should not be used with the preposition "at". It's grammatically incorrect to say "at erstwhile" because it misuses the word's function. You should use "formerly at" or "previously at" instead.

What can I say instead of "at erstwhile"?

Instead of "at erstwhile", you can use "formerly at" or "previously at". These alternatives correctly indicate a past association or state.

How can I correctly use "erstwhile" in a sentence?

Use "erstwhile" as an adjective directly before the noun it modifies, without a preposition. For example, "the erstwhile leader" is correct. Avoid phrases like "at the erstwhile leader."

Is there a difference in meaning between "formerly at" and "at erstwhile"?

While both aim to convey a past association, "formerly at" is grammatically correct and widely accepted, while "at erstwhile" is not. Therefore, "formerly at" is the preferred and accurate choice.