formerly owned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formerly owned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an item that was owned by someone in the past, often in contexts like sales or auctions. Example: "This car is a rare model that was formerly owned by a famous musician."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Bupers was formerly owned by Ogden Phipps.

The New Yorker

The couple also formerly owned the Franklin Mint, the marketer of commemorative coins, plates and dolls.

The New York Times

Jopling lives in a mansion formerly owned by one of the Stanhope earls.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bedoian is an experienced restaurateur who formerly owned Tello and later Mangiamo in Huntington.

The New York Times

A 1970 Husqvarna 400 dirt bike formerly owned by Steve McQueen also did not sell.

The New York Times

The James Joyce House, 15 Usher's Island, www.jamesjoycehouse.com, recently restored, was formerly owned by Joyce's aunts.

The New York Times - Travel

Robert was his father, who died in 1997 and formerly owned the team.

The New York Times

Thus, someone who formerly owned a home, then rented for several years, could qualify.

The New York Times

Ms. O'Donnell owns the house there formerly owned by Helen Hayes.

The New York Times

Ricci played on a 1734 Guarneri del Gesù violin, formerly owned by Bronislav Huberman.

The Guardian - Music

He is not even planning to replace the computer he formerly owned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing items for sale or auction, use "formerly owned" to add perceived value or historical significance, especially if the previous owner was notable.

Common error

Avoid using "formerly owned" when referring to something that is still owned by the same entity. The phrase indicates a change in ownership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formerly owned" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, describing a noun by indicating a past state of ownership. As Ludwig highlights, it accurately and effectively conveys that the subject was previously in someone else's possession.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formerly owned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an item's past ownership. As Ludwig confirms, its primary function is to modify a noun by indicating a previous state of possession, often adding historical context or value. It maintains a neutral register and appears most commonly in news and media sources. When writing, use it to accurately convey a change in ownership and to enhance the description of an item, especially in sales or historical contexts. Remember that it indicates a change in ownership. To ensure accuracy, double-check the current ownership status before using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously possessed

Replaces "owned" with "possessed" and "formerly" with "previously", emphasizing the past state of having.

once belonged to

Emphasizes the past relationship of belonging to a previous owner.

previously held by

Uses "held" instead of "owned", suggesting a type of ownership or holding of an asset.

earlier ownership

Focuses on the concept of a prior ownership without specifying the current state.

used to be owned by

A more conversational way to express past ownership.

formerly in the possession of

More formal phrasing emphasizing the previous state of possession.

historically owned by

Emphasizes that the ownership was in the past from a historical perspective.

originally the property of

Highlights the initial ownership and the concept of property.

had been owned by

Expresses that something was owned by someone at a point in the past, with the implication it may have changed hands more than once.

at one time belonged to

Implies that the item belonged to someone specific in the past, but may not anymore.

FAQs

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

You can use "formerly owned" to describe an item or property that was previously under someone else's ownership, like in the sentence "The house was "formerly owned" by a famous actor."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "formerly owned"?

Alternatives to "formerly owned" include "previously owned", "once belonged to", or "previously held by". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "formally owned" instead of "formerly owned"?

No, "formally owned" isn't the best choice. "Formally" refers to something done in accordance with rules or conventions, while "formerly" refers to a past state. If you mean to say someone used to own something, then you should use ""formerly owned"".

What is the difference between "formerly owned" and "previously owned"?

While both phrases mean that an item was owned by someone else in the past, ""previously owned"" is more general and simply indicates prior ownership. "Formerly owned" might subtly imply a more distant or significant past ownership.