formerly when it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formerly when it" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a past situation or condition, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "Formerly when it was summer, we would go to the beach every weekend."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Formerly, when I could seldom spare money, I kept catalogues as much as possible out of sight; now I savour them page by page, and make a pleasant virtue of the discretion I must needs impose upon myself.

The Guardian - Books

(In 1886, though, when his stories first began attracting notice, he reported a similar feeling of invasion to his friend Viktor Bilibin: "Formerly, when I didn't know that they read my tales and passed judgment on them, I wrote serenely, just the way I eat pancakes; now, I'm afraid when I write").

The Guardian - Books

Formerly, when the breed was more numerous, its distribution extended north into the department of Aude, but the survey indicated that the breed there has been either absorbed or displaced by Lacaune.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Formerly, when the economy was based primarily on fishing, each group claimed a distinctive culture and political autonomy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Formerly, when ropiness occurred, bakers acidified doughs with vinegar as a protective measure, but this type of spoilage is rare in bread from modern bakeries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

General practitioners are spread more evenly over the country than formerly, when there were many in the richer areas and few in the industrial towns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Formerly, when the church was not used for dining, you ate in a smaller room in the Mission House and had to be finished in seven and a half minutes.

The New Yorker

Formerly, when government functions were limited and the property tax was the sole source of local income, tax rates were determined simply by dividing the figure for estimated expenditure by that for assessed valuation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Formerly, when a Privy Counsellor rose to make a speech in the House of Commons at the same time as another member, the Speaker would first recognise the Privy Counsellor.

Wikipedia

MC is currently an independent consultant, and formerly, when the study was initiated, was an employee of Ferring Pharmaceuticals.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Formerly, when patients needed primary care outside office hours, the probability of being seen by their own or a local GP with whom they were familiar, was higher.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "formerly when it" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "previously when it" or "in the past when it" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "formerly when it" when a simpler temporal marker would suffice. For instance, instead of saying "formerly when it was summer", consider "when it was summer" or "previously, during the summer months".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formerly when it" attempts to function as a temporal marker, indicating a past condition or state. However, this construction is grammatically unconventional. According to Ludwig AI, the construction isn't correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formerly when it" is not considered grammatically correct and lacks clear usage in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is flawed and does not effectively convey its intended meaning. For clarity and accuracy, it's best to use alternatives like "previously when it" or "in the past when it", especially in formal or professional contexts. The absence of examples from authoritative sources further underscores its infrequent and non-standard nature. Therefore, avoiding this phrase will improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously when it

Replaces "formerly" with "previously", offering a slightly more common and direct alternative to indicate a past time.

in the past when it

Uses the more explicit phrase "in the past" instead of "formerly", providing clarity about the temporal context.

before when it

A simpler way to indicate a time preceding a specific event or condition.

earlier when it

Substitutes "formerly" with "earlier" to denote a prior occurrence or state.

at a time when it

Emphasizes a specific point in time in the past, providing a more descriptive temporal reference.

in those days when it

Evokes a sense of a past era or period, adding a nostalgic or historical nuance.

back when it

An informal way to refer to a time in the past, suitable for casual contexts.

in earlier instances when it

Highlights previous occurrences of a situation or event, suitable for more formal or analytical contexts.

during the time when it

Specifies a period when something was happening, providing a clear temporal boundary.

in prior situations when it

Refers to past circumstances or conditions, often used in analytical or comparative contexts.

FAQs

What does "formerly" mean?

"Formerly" means in the past or in an earlier period. It's used to indicate a previous state, condition, or identity. For instance, a country "formerly known as" Ceylon is now Sri Lanka.

What are some alternatives to "formerly"?

Alternatives to "formerly" include "previously", "earlier", "in the past", "once", and "used to be". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Use "formerly" to describe something that was true in the past but is no longer the case. For example, "The building, "formerly a school", is now an apartment complex".

Is it grammatically correct to say "formerly when it"?

The phrase "formerly when it" is generally considered grammatically awkward and less clear than alternatives. Rephrasing with "previously when it" or "in the past when it" is recommended for better clarity.