has formerly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has formerly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was true or applicable in the past but is no longer the case. Example: "The company has formerly been known for its innovative products, but it has since shifted its focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This anti-correlation has formerly been interpreted as evidence against a turbulent creation mechanism for PMSE.

Advances in Space Research

She has formerly been the Transitional Justice Director of the Center for Justice and Accountability.

University of California, Berkeley

Garvey has formerly performed at the festival during Massive Attack's Meltdown in 20008.

The Guardian - Music

The series has formerly featured living artists and launched with a major exhibition from Ai Weiwei.

The Guardian - Arts

They go into the temple which has formerly been banned to those of low caste.

The New Yorker

The HCI research community has formerly looked into some of the challenges and possibilities for smell based technology.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Elaine has a background in policy and advocacy surrounding global health, and has formerly focused on HIV/Aids.

The Guardian

The Sipper has formerly remarked that blanc de blancs Champagne, so vibrant and citrusy, is 100percentt chardonnay.

The New York Times - Style

This series of ionic liquids has formerly been studied as to their densities and transport properties and has shown interesting behaviour with respect to their chemical structure [1].

Fluid Phase Equilibria

AT IPC Media, Rich, who has formerly worked at the publisher of the Daily Mail and Emap, has his work cut out.

The Guardian

In the spirit of the Jil Sander/Uniqlo collaboration — but at a middle-market price point — Mr. Theyskens is taking to Main Street an aesthetic that has formerly been seen at the Paris houses Nina Ricci and Rochas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has formerly" to clearly indicate a state or condition that existed in the past but is no longer true. This helps avoid confusion about current status or relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "has formerly" when referring to something that is still currently happening. Use a different tense or phrasing to accurately reflect the continuous nature of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has formerly" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating that a previous state, action, or condition is no longer valid. As shown by Ludwig, it serves to specify a change over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has formerly" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a situation or state existed in the past but is no longer the case. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is generally used correctly across various domains, particularly in scientific, academic, and news contexts. While commonly used, it's important to avoid misusing it for ongoing situations. Consider alternatives such as "previously had" or "formerly was" based on the context to ensure clarity. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility and appropriate usage in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly was

A more formal alternative, emphasizing a past designation or role.

previously had

Emphasizes the prior possession or experience of something.

beforehand had

Emphasizes the prior nature of the action or state, often in preparation for something else.

had in the past

Directly indicates a past state or action.

once was

Suggests a transformation or change from a past state.

prior to this had

Indicates a clear sequence, with a past action preceding a current state.

used to be

Implies a habitual or consistent past action or state.

until recently had

Suggests the action or state changed not long ago.

in the past

A general indicator of past occurrence, less specific.

at one time

Highlights a specific period in the past.

FAQs

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

Use "has formerly" to indicate that something was true or applicable in the past, but is no longer the case. For example: "The company "has formerly" been known for its innovative products, but it has since shifted its focus."

What are some alternatives to "has formerly"?

You can use alternatives such as "previously had", "had in the past", or "formerly was" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "has formerly" and "used to be"?

"Has formerly" is generally more formal and indicates a past state or role, while "used to be" suggests a habitual past action or state. The best choice depends on the desired tone and context.

When should I not use "has formerly"?

Avoid using ""has formerly"" when referring to something that is still currently true or ongoing. In those cases, use present tense or other appropriate phrasing to reflect the current status.