formerly associated with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formerly associated with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a past connection or relationship with someone or something. Example: "The company was formerly associated with several high-profile clients before its recent restructuring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The resolution said inspectors "shall have the right to be provided by Iraq the names of all personnel currently and formerly associated with Iraq's chemical, biological, nuclear and ballistic missile programs and the associated research, development, and production facilities".

The New York Times

People formerly associated with Heartland came forward in May with the accusation.

The New York Times

The bridegroom's mother is a painter formerly associated with the Prince Street Gallery in New York.

The New York Times

Her father, a Baptist minister, was formerly associated with the Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans.

The New York Times - Style

Many journalists currently or formerly associated with the Post are saying nice things about him.

The New Yorker

But why was Syriza adopted by people who never formerly associated with the left?

The Guardian - Opinion

Formerly associated with Canterbury School, Villa Duschene, Convent of Sacred Heart and Stoneleigh Burnham School for girls.

The New York Times

This change greatly reduced the threat to the oboe's airtightness formerly associated with additional keys.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The perfect transcendence she had formerly associated with heaven was now attached to a vision of supreme artistry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chinese auction houses are now selling works at a pace formerly associated with those in London and New York.

The New York Times - Arts

Next is Tyrone Taylor, "formerly associated" with the fourth floor of Lincoln Houses in Manhattan, followed by more than a dozen others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For conciseness, consider if a simpler alternative like "previously linked to" is sufficient, especially in less formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "formerly associated with" if the connection was extremely brief or insignificant. Overusing it can dilute its impact and suggest a more substantial relationship than actually existed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formerly associated with" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes someone or something by indicating a past connection or relationship. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in describing past affiliations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formerly associated with" is a versatile phrase used to describe a past relationship or affiliation. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts. While "formerly associated with" is considered acceptable, it's crucial to use it judiciously, ensuring the past connection is relevant and significant to the present context. Alternatives like "previously affiliated with" or "once connected to" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in formality and emphasis. Remember to avoid overusing it for trivial or insignificant connections to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously affiliated with

Replaces "associated" with "affiliated", suggesting a slightly more formal or official connection.

once connected to

Uses a more direct term, "connected", replacing the more formal "associated".

formerly linked to

Employs "linked" instead of "associated", implying a relationship that may be less formal or structured.

used to be involved with

Replaces the more concise "associated" with a longer phrase, adding emphasis to the prior involvement.

had a past connection with

Explicitly states the "past connection", making the temporal aspect more prominent.

previously tied to

Substitutes "associated" with "tied", suggesting a potentially stronger or more binding prior relationship.

in the past connected with

Adds a temporal phrase, "in the past", to emphasize that the link is no longer active.

at one time part of

Indicates that the subject was "part of" something, implying a membership or integral role.

formerly a member of

Specifically denotes a past membership within a group or organization.

once employed by

Highlights past employment, focusing on a professional relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "formerly associated with" in a sentence?

You can use "formerly associated with" to describe someone or something that had a connection to an organization, group, or idea in the past. For example, "The CEO was "formerly associated with" a non-profit organization."

What can I say instead of "formerly associated with"?

You can use alternatives like "previously affiliated with", "once connected to", or "formerly linked to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "formerly associated with" or "formally associated with"?

"Formerly associated with" indicates a past connection, while "formally associated with" suggests a connection that is officially recognized or structured. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "formerly associated with" and "currently associated with"?

"Formerly associated with" indicates a past relationship that no longer exists, while "currently associated with" describes a present, ongoing connection.