formerly operated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formerly operated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was previously in operation or functioning but is no longer active. Example: "The factory, which was formerly operated by a large corporation, has now been closed for several years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The two stores were formerly operated by A & S.

The New York Times

The city formerly operated a garbage transfer station at the same location, without incident.

The New York Times

Many of the companies formerly operated as mortgage brokers, The Times found.

The New York Times

One site in Perth Amboy was formerly operated by Chevron, the oil company, which is handling the cleanup.

The New York Times

The site nycaviation.com reported that the helicopter is based in Linden and was formerly operated as a news chopper by KMOV-TV Channel 4 in St . Louis

The New York Times

There are 10 sites around the country where reactors formerly operated but were torn down, leaving the waste sitting in concrete and steel casks, experts said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

IT Watch on YouTube Formerly operating under the alias FunkinEven, electronic pioneer Steven Julien outed his new guise for the release of his 2016 album Fallen.

The Guardian - Music

The Czech government have actually admitted to formerly operating a numbers station, but most are, as you say, unclaimed by any government.

Vice

The Czech government has actually admitted to formerly operating a numbers station, but most are, as you say, unclaimed by any government.

Vice

The Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, familiarly known as the "Ma and Pa", was an American short-line railroad between York and Hanover, Pennsylvania, formerly operating passenger and freight trains on its original line between York and Baltimore, Maryland, from 1901 until the 1950s.

Wikipedia

Chris Patelis, formerly chief operating officer, was named president of The Industry Standard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formerly operated", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is currently operating in its place or its current status.

Common error

Avoid using "formerly operated" if the entity is still operating under a different name or structure; instead, specify the nature of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formerly operated" functions as a modifier, specifically as part of a verb phrase. It typically describes a subject (e.g., a company, a facility) and indicates that it was operated or managed by someone or something else in the past, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formerly operated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that was previously under the management or control of a different entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts. It is often used to provide background or historical information, indicating a change in ownership or management. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and encyclopedic content. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly reflects the current status or operator to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously run

Emphasizes the act of managing or controlling something in the past.

formerly managed

Focuses on the administrative aspect of past operations.

once operated by

Highlights the past ownership or control by a specific entity.

previously under the management of

A more formal way of indicating past management.

used to be operated by

Emphasizes the change in operational status.

historically operated

Highlights a past operation in a historical context.

in the past, operated by

Simply indicates past operational control.

previously utilized

Focuses on the function of using or employing something in the past.

formerly in service

Suitable for items or systems that were previously active or functional.

at one time, operated by

Indicates a past period of operation.

FAQs

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

You can use "formerly operated" to describe a business, service, or facility that was previously run by someone else. For example, "The restaurant, which was "formerly operated" by the Smith family, is now under new management".

What can I say instead of "formerly operated"?

You can use alternatives like "previously run", "formerly managed", or "once operated by" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "formerly operated" and "currently operated"?

"Formerly operated" indicates a past state of operation, while "currently operated" describes the present state. "The mine was "formerly operated" by a private company, but is now "currently operated" by the government".

Is "formerly operated by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "formerly operated by" is grammatically correct. It is used to specify the entity that previously managed or ran something. For instance, "The hotel was "formerly operated" by a large hotel chain".