formerly called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formerly called" can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that used to have another name. For example, "The city of Houston, Texas, was formerly called Harrisburg."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Formerly called "The Outlaws".

The New York Times

The capital is Harare (formerly called Salisbury).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cuilapa, formerly called Cuajiniguilapa, city, southeastern Guatemala.

Encyclopedia Britannica

ompF626 was formerly called cmlB20.

Yale University

The course was formerly called Energy Resources.

Stanford University

ptsI7 was formerly called ctr-7.

Yale University

It was formerly called Wegener's granulomatosis.

Harvard University

This strain was formerly called WGAsuc26.

Yale University

deoA21 was formerly called tpp-21.

Yale University

Tells about the town of Salamanca, formerly called Hemlock.

The New Yorker

The western channel was formerly called the Chōsen Strait.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formerly called", ensure you provide both the previous name and the current name for clarity. This helps avoid confusion, especially in contexts where the subject has undergone significant changes beyond just a name change.

Common error

A common mistake is mentioning what something was "formerly called" without stating its current name. Always include the current name to avoid leaving the reader wondering what the subject is now known as.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formerly called" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating a previous name or designation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to specify that something had a different name in the past. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

23%

News & Media

21%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Science

16%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formerly called" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a previous name or designation, supported by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples. It's grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, ranging from academic and scientific publications to news articles and encyclopedias. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s advisable to provide both the previous and current names for clarity. While similar phrases like "previously known as" and "used to be called" offer alternatives, "formerly called" remains a straightforward and effective choice for conveying name changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously known as

Emphasizes the prior name in a slightly more formal tone.

once known as

Highlights that the name was used at some point in the past.

used to be called

A more conversational and informal way to express the former name.

originally named

Focuses on the initial name given to something.

formerly known under the name

A longer variation emphasizing that the thing was know under the following name.

at one time called

Implies that the name was used during a specific period.

in the past called

Highlights that the name applied in the past but no longer does.

was named before

Directly states that a different name existed prior to the current one.

before renamed

Focuses on the action of renaming, with less emphasis on the original name.

prior to being called

A more elaborate structure expressing the name change.

FAQs

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

You can use "formerly called" to indicate the previous name of something. For example, "Myanmar, "formerly called Burma", is a country in Southeast Asia."

What is a more formal alternative to "formerly called"?

A more formal alternative to "formerly called" is "previously known as". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is it necessary to mention both the old and new names when using "formerly called"?

Yes, it's best practice to mention both the old and new names. This ensures clarity and avoids confusion. Omitting the current name can leave the reader wondering what the subject is now known as.

What's the difference between "formerly called" and "originally named"?

"Formerly called" implies a name change at some point, while "originally named" simply refers to the initial name given. Something can be both "originally named" X and "formerly called" X if it has since changed its name.