at least formerly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at least formerly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was true in the past but may not be true now. Example: "The company was a leader in the industry, at least formerly, before the market changed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Originally, the Finnish handset maker was expected to release or at least formerly announce the N9 by the end of 2010.

TechCrunch

On the other side of the ledger are the perennially aggressive - or at least formerly perennially aggressive - Redskins.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At least one formerly fundamentalist Protestant woman in the audience at a recent performance was overwhelmed by the palpable emotional parallels between Asher's departure for Paris from his parents' city apartment at the play's end and her own departure for New York from her mother and father's rural ranch house.

The New York Times

Why "at least"?

Forbes

But the mayor and the governor have been brought together at numerous press conferences, visits to ground zero and an assortment of meetings since Sept. 11, and there appears to be a thaw, at least, in the formerly chilly relationship.

The New York Times

Further, preschool teachers now have to pass at least five subjects (formerly three) in the secondary school certificate examinations.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

At least 1,500 children formerly associated with armed groups who have recently returned to Uganda and 1,000 unaccompanied minors from the Democratic Republic of the Congo will also have access to counselling and reintegration assistance.

Unicef

Yet the Tories are blowing their chance.British hostility to immigration has roots in real concerns including over its possible effects on social cohesion and an asylum system that was, formerly at least, incompetent and rotten with fraud.

The Economist

And now he has turned his elegantly groomed brain to the news, which, he tells us early on, "now occupies a position of power at least equal to that formerly enjoyed by faiths".

The Guardian - Books

There is, at least, one property, having formerly had a handle, that the cup and truncated cup never have in common.

SEP

At least half will be formerly homeless individuals, as well as others with low incomes like students and seniors. .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at least formerly" when you want to explicitly acknowledge a past state while suggesting that the current state might be different or uncertain. This adds a subtle layer of qualification compared to simply using "formerly".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "at least formerly" can sound unnecessarily verbose in many contexts. Consider whether "formerly", "previously", or "at one time" would convey your meaning more concisely and effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at least formerly" functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying a statement by indicating a condition or state that existed in the past. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct, but less frequent than its shorter alternative.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at least formerly" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to qualify a statement, indicating that something was true in the past, but its current status is uncertain. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare, with simpler alternatives like "previously" or "formerly" often preferred. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When choosing to use "at least formerly", consider whether the added nuance of uncertainty is necessary, or if a more concise phrasing would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously

A more direct and concise way to indicate something happened before.

formerly

Omits "at least", thus becoming more direct, but also potentially losing nuance.

earlier

A shorter and more general reference to a time before the present.

at one time

Emphasizes a specific period in the past.

at a prior time

A more formal and less common way to say "at one time".

in the past

A simple and general way to refer to a past state.

before

A very basic and general way to refer to what preceded the present.

once

Indicates something was true at some point in the past.

used to be

Indicates a habitual or continuous state in the past that is no longer true.

in earlier times

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to refer to the past.

FAQs

How can I use "at least formerly" in a sentence?

You can use "at least formerly" to indicate that something was true in the past, but its current status is uncertain or potentially different. For instance, "The company was a leader in the industry, "at least formerly", before the market changed".

What are some alternatives to "at least formerly"?

Alternatives include simpler phrases like "previously", "formerly", or "at one time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "at least formerly" or just "formerly"?

Using "at least formerly" adds a subtle degree of uncertainty or qualification about the present, while "formerly" simply indicates a past state. Choose the phrase that best reflects the certainty you wish to express.

Can I use "at least formerly" in formal writing?

Yes, "at least formerly" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing. However, consider whether it is the most concise and effective way to convey your meaning, or if a simpler alternative like "previously" would be more suitable.