formerly speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formerly speaking" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to a previous state or condition in a discussion, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "Formerly speaking, the company had a different approach to customer service."

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Intravenous blood samples were collected from a total of 1222 healthy unrelated individuals belonging to 25 tribal populations out of which 17 are Austro-Asiatic groups and 7 are transitional groups, which are considered to have certain geographical and historical affinities to the former, and also presumed to be formerly speaking Austro-Asiatic languages.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

"It takes a long time for ideas to seep to the top, let alone to move the bottom," Chittister tells Krista Tippet for the On Being podcast (formerly, Speaking of Faith).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tequistlatec (Tequistlatec proper) was formerly spoken in Tequisistlán, Oaxaca, but now has no speakers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Thraco-Illyrian branch of the Indo-European languages was formerly spoken throughout the Balkan Peninsula north of Greece.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Catawban branch (formerly spoken in North and South Carolina) is the most divergent i.e., the first to break off.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Manx language, member of the Goidelic group of Celtic languages, formerly spoken on the Isle of Man.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Salishan languages, family of about 23 North American Indian languages, spoken or formerly spoken in the Pacific Northwest and adjoining areas of Idaho, Montana, and southern British Columbia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mayan languages, family of indigenous languages spoken in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize; Mayan languages were also formerly spoken in western Honduras and western El Salvador.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dalmatian language, extinct Romance language formerly spoken along the Dalmatian coast from the island of Veglia (modern Krk) to Ragusa (modern Dubrovnik).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Manchu language, also called Man language, the most important of the Manchu-Tungus languages (a subfamily of the Altaic languages), formerly spoken by the Manchu people in Manchuria.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Muskogean languages, family of perhaps six North American Indian languages spoken or formerly spoken across much of what is now the southeastern United States.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formerly speaking", ensure it clearly refers to a past instance of someone communicating something, and consider whether a more direct alternative like "previously stated" would be clearer.

Common error

Avoid using "formerly speaking" when you simply mean "previously" or "in the past". This phrase specifically refers to a past act of speaking, not just a past state or event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formerly speaking" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the time frame of a communicative act. It specifies that something was said or communicated at a prior time. As Ludwig AI shows, the usage is acceptable but uncommon.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formerly speaking" is an adverbial modifier used to indicate that something was communicated at a prior time. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI notes that it is not a very common expression and other alternatives might be more direct and clear. Its usage tends to be neutral or slightly formal, appearing in news, encyclopedia, and scientific contexts. When using "formerly speaking", ensure it clearly refers to a past instance of someone communicating something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously mentioned

Replaces "formerly speaking" with a more direct reference to a prior statement or discussion.

used to say

Implies a past habit of speaking in a certain way, rather than a single instance.

once stated

Emphasizes a specific statement made at a previous time.

earlier expressed

Focuses on the act of expressing an idea or opinion in the past.

in previous discussions

Highlights past conversations or meetings where something was said.

had said before

Indicates a prior declaration or comment on a subject.

formerly articulated

A more formal substitute, appropriate when a high degree of precision is required

as previously communicated

Suited for business and formal settings, this refers to past communication.

what was earlier voiced

A stylistic rewording of a spoken thought or sentiment.

in past pronouncements

Emphasizes a former official or public announcement.

FAQs

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

Use "formerly speaking" to refer to something that someone said in the past. For example, "Formerly speaking, the CEO supported the merger, but now he has changed his mind".

What is a good alternative to "formerly speaking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "previously mentioned", "once stated", or "earlier expressed".

Is it correct to say "previously speaking" instead of "formerly speaking"?

While "previously" and "formerly" can sometimes be interchangeable, "formerly speaking" is more precise when referring to a past instance of communication. "Previously speaking" is not a standard or widely recognized phrase.

What's the difference between "formerly speaking" and "previously stated"?

"Formerly speaking" refers to the act of speaking itself, while "previously stated" refers to the content of what was said. "Formerly speaking" emphasizes the communication event, while "previously stated" highlights the message.