formerly there were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formerly there were" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something existed in the past but no longer does. Example: "Formerly there were many more species of birds in this region before the habitat was altered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Formerly there were great tax breaks for investing in film productions to entice foreign and local film production.

The Guardian - Money

On the international scene, if Europe is (with a few exceptions) no longer the limitlessly fertile ground for movie art that it once was, there are wonderful filmmakers appearing in places where formerly there were few.

The New Yorker

The schedule is still a work in progress, but the Rising Stars program, which brings six emerging actors to the festival to network with the filmmakers and executives in attendance, includes several non-Americans this time around; formerly there were none.

The New York Times

One woman, the most freely discursive voyager in the movie, looks at the valley and takes note of the widespread development of well-built houses, where, formerly, there were none, and then reminisces: "When I think of the old days, these times seem better.

The New Yorker

Where formerly there were two, we now have, in effect, seven capital gains tax rates.

Forbes

In our first phase of revisions for the tutorial version (tested in study 1), we expanded the mutation section of the module to include five multiple-choice questions with immediate and specific feedback (formerly there were three open-response with no feedback).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Formerly there was a prejudice towards young people; all young children were thought to be drug dealers.

The Guardian

They can be read in full in two large volumes of her collected works; formerly there was a selection by Lennox Robinson, a book as irritating as Robinson was himself reputed to be.

The Guardian - Books

Formerly there was also category IV, which was below category III.

Wikipedia

US 40 Scenic is the only scenic route in the U.S. Highway System; formerly, there was a second, US 412 Scenic in Oklahoma, but this has since been redesignated to a more conventional "Alternate" route.

Wikipedia

By 1848 the population was partly employed in coal mines in Bishop Sutton, and in the manufacture of stockings and of edge tools to a limited extent; formerly there was a considerable factory for cloth.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formerly there were", ensure the context clearly indicates what has changed and why it is no longer the case. For example, specify the reasons for the change to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "formerly there were" when the change is very recent or insignificant. The phrase implies a more substantial or historical shift. If the change is minor, consider alternatives like "previously" or "before".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formerly there were" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a clause. It indicates a past state or condition that is no longer true. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

26%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

11%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formerly there were" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something existed in the past but no longer does. Ludwig confirms its correctness and utility. It's prevalent in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context about the change and avoid using it for very recent or insignificant alterations. Consider alternatives like "previously there were" or "there used to be" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously there were

Replaces "formerly" with "previously", maintaining the temporal aspect.

there used to be

A common and simple way to express past existence.

in the past there were

Uses a more direct and common way to indicate a past state.

earlier there were

Substitutes "formerly" with "earlier", focusing on a prior time.

in former times there were

Adds a slightly more formal and historical tone.

at one time there were

Emphasizes that something existed at a specific point in the past.

before, there were

A more concise way of indicating a prior state of existence.

prior to this there were

Explicitly states that something existed before a specific point or event.

once upon a time there were

Introduces a narrative or story-like tone, indicating a distant past.

heretofore there were

Uses a more archaic term to indicate a prior time.

FAQs

What does "formerly there were" mean?

The phrase "formerly there were" indicates that something existed in the past but no longer exists in the present. It suggests a change or transformation over time.

How can I use "formerly there were" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe past conditions or situations that have changed. For example: "Formerly there were many trees in this area, but now it is mostly buildings."

What can I say instead of "formerly there were"?

Alternatives include "previously there were", "in the past there were", or "there used to be". The best option depends on the specific context.

Is "formerly there was" or "formerly there were" grammatically correct?

"Formerly there was" is used with singular nouns, while "formerly there were" is used with plural nouns. For example, "Formerly there was a large oak tree" versus "Formerly there were many oak trees".