in former times

USAGE SUMMARY

"in former times" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time in the past that is no longer relevant, or to compare something in the past to something in the present. For example: "In former times, people relied on horses for transportation, but today cars are the preferred mode of travel."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In former times the latter was worked for marble.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In former times, the migratory populations were organized very differently.

Britannica

In former times conservative assumptions were often used to describe the consequences of fires.

Fire Safety Journal

What people were doing in former times certain- ly is very interesting, isn't it?

Princeton University

In former times, being put in the stocks was not considered as necessarily infamous.

Cornell University

In former times, American bison (Bison bison) migrated regularly through the Great Plains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their ice-fishing, dog-sledding and, in former times, igloos are synonymous with Arctic living.

The Economist

In former times it was a station on the Hejaz railway (now defunct).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In former times you just didn't talk about any of this.

The Guardian - Opinion

In former times the Zaramo fashioned iron implements and even copied European firearms.

Britannica

"In former times, you could play a novelty," Frederic Friedel, the chess-program publisher, says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in former times" to draw a contrast between past practices and present-day situations, highlighting how things have evolved. For example: "In former times, handwritten letters were common; now, email is the primary mode of communication."

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "in former times" in everyday conversation can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "in the past" or "before" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in former times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred. It provides a temporal context, often to contrast past conditions with present ones. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

41%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in former times" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a past era, often contrasting it with the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to slightly formal register. It's most commonly found in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. For more informal settings, alternatives like "in the past" may be more appropriate. Remember to employ this phrase to effectively highlight the evolution of practices and conditions over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the past

This alternative is a more general way to refer to a time before the present.

previously

This is a shorter, more direct adverb indicating a time before the present.

in bygone days

This alternative evokes a sense of nostalgia and a more distant past.

in earlier days

Similar to "in bygone days" but slightly less evocative and more neutral.

in olden times

This phrase often refers to a more distant and romanticized past.

in days gone by

This alternative emphasizes the passage of time and the past's irretrievability.

formerly

A formal adverb indicating a previous state or condition.

in ancient times

This refers specifically to the distant past, particularly before the Middle Ages.

in previous eras

This alternative is suitable when discussing specific historical periods.

in a past life

A more figurative way to talk about the past, suggesting a complete change from then to now.

FAQs

How can I use "in former times" in a sentence?

"In former times" is used to refer to a period in the past, often to contrast it with the present. For example: "In former times, travel was much slower and more arduous than it is today."

What phrases are similar to "in former times"?

Alternatives include "in the past", "previously", and "in bygone days". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it better to say "in former times" or "in olden times"?

Both phrases refer to the past, but "in olden times" often evokes a more distant and romanticized past. "In former times" is generally more neutral and can refer to a more recent past as well.

How does the formality of "in former times" compare to "in the past"?

"In former times" is generally considered more formal than "in the past". Using "in former times" can add a touch of historical or literary style, whereas "in the past" is suitable for most contexts.