formerly connected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formerly connected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was previously linked or associated with something else but is no longer in that state. Example: "The two companies were formerly connected through a partnership that lasted for over a decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Avid Life has also said it is convinced the hackers were formerly connected to the company.

The Guardian

Also in his following, more numerous and powerful than the holy men, were the merchants formerly connected with the slave trade.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lake Kivu too was formerly connected with the Nile, but, as a result of volcanic activity, it is now part of the Congo drainage system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"This illustrates that the nuclear case is just another pretext for trying to keep us down," said Aziz Shah Mohammadi, an expert formerly connected with Iran's National Security Council, which, together with Ayatollah Khamenei, maps out Iran's nuclear policy.

The New York Times

Dr. Fisher, who boasts, in a footnote, of having coined the term "sexual intelligence," is a research anthropologist at Rutgers University who was formerly connected with the American Museum of Natural History.

The New Yorker

Similarities in fossil terrestrial organisms in pre-Cretaceous (older than about 146 million years) strata of Africa and South America and in pre-Jurassic rocks (older than about 200 million years) of Australia, India, Madagascar, and Africa are explained if these continents were formerly connected but difficult to account for otherwise.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The subsequent transgressions drowned the incised drainage, infilling it and closing the inlets formerly connecting the coastal river to the ocean.

Journal of South American Earth Sciences

Some 50 years later, Antonio Snider-Pellegrini, a French scientist, argued that the presence of identical fossil plants in both North American and European coal deposits could be explained if the two continents had formerly been connected, a relationship otherwise difficult to account for.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Formerly, railways connected Odense to most of Funen's coastal cities, but these links were closed down in the 1950s and 1960s.

Wikipedia

Formerly I was connected to someone else's line.

The Guardian

Legislation might, for example, specify the binding nature of electoral campaign promises or of formerly voluntary contributions connected with public service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formerly connected", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was previously connected to and why the connection is no longer active. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "formerly connected" without specifying the nature and duration of the past connection. Lack of detail can confuse readers about the significance of the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formerly connected" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that used to have a link or association with something else but no longer does. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase clarifies past relationships or states.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formerly connected" serves to clarify past relationships or states that are no longer active. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is grammatically sound and provides examples spanning news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While not overly common, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, particularly when establishing historical context or explaining changes over time. The phrase's neutral-to-formal register makes it suitable for professional and academic discourse. When using "formerly connected", clarity is key: ensure the context clearly shows what the subject was previously connected to and ensure the significance of this change is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously associated

Replaces 'formerly connected' with a direct synonym for 'connected' and 'formerly'.

formerly linked

Uses 'linked' instead of 'connected' to convey a similar relationship.

formerly associated with

Explicitly includes 'with' to show what the subject was previously connected to.

once affiliated

Employs 'affiliated' to suggest a connection, often in a formal or organizational context.

was once associated

Similar to 'previously associated', but emphasizes 'once' to denote a time in the past.

in the past related

Rephrases to emphasize that the relation existed in the past.

previously tied to

Uses 'tied to' to suggest a strong connection or dependency that no longer exists.

had a connection

Uses a more generic 'had a connection' to indicate a past relationship.

used to be linked

Simple and direct way of stating a past connection.

used to be connected

Emphasizes the past state of being connected.

FAQs

What does "formerly connected" mean?

The phrase "formerly connected" means that something was previously linked or associated with something else, but that connection no longer exists. It implies a past relationship that has since been terminated or changed.

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

You can use "formerly connected" to describe past relationships between organizations, people, or even geographical features. For example: "The two companies were "previously associated" through a joint venture."

What are some alternatives to "formerly connected"?

Alternatives to "formerly connected" include "previously associated", "formerly linked", or "once affiliated". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nature of the relationship.

Is it better to say "formerly connected" or "previously connected"?

Both "formerly connected" and "previously connected" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference. "Formerly" might imply a more formal or official past connection.