it was formerly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was formerly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something existed or was true in the past but is no longer the case. Example: "The building was once a school; it was formerly a place of learning before being converted into apartments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was formerly treated as its own family (Asclepiadaceae).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was formerly known as Abaj Takalik; its ancient name may have been Kooja.

Wikipedia

Its name means "the chisel" in Latin, and it was formerly known as Caelum Scalptorium ("the engraver's chisel").

Wikipedia

It was formerly included in feudal Moldavia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was formerly included in feudal Transylvania.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was formerly canalized upstream to Stamford.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(It was formerly known as Hangzhou Academy).

The New York Times - Arts

It was formerly situated in Lyndhurst, N.J.

The New York Times

It was formerly sponsored by Northville Industries.

The New York Times - Sports

It was formerly occupied by Alkit Pro Camera.

The New York Times

It was formerly called Ferdinandov and, until 1950, Yumrukchal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was formerly" to clearly indicate a change in name, status, or use over time. This phrase is suitable for formal and informative writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was formerly" when the previous state is still relevant or partially true. The phrase implies a complete change, so ensure the context supports this.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was formerly" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, indicating that something existed or was true in the past but is no longer the case. Ludwig confirms this usage in numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

29%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was formerly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression employed to denote a past state, name, or condition that has since changed. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and other informational texts, serving to provide context and background. Although it has a neutral to formal register, less formal alternatives, such as "it used to be", can be more appropriate in casual settings. When using "it was formerly", ensure the context clearly indicates a complete change from the previous state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it used to be

Replaces "formerly" with a more common and informal phrase.

it was previously

Substitutes "formerly" with "previously", maintaining a similar level of formality.

it had been

Emphasizes the past state using the past perfect tense.

it once was

Uses "once" to highlight that the subject's state has changed over time.

it originally was

Highlights the initial state of something before changes occurred.

it is now

Focuses on the current state after a change from the previous one. Requires additional context to convey the previous state.

it went by the name of

Specifies that the subject had a different name in the past.

it was at one time

Indicates that the subject's state or condition was true at some point in the past.

it has since been

Implies a change and transition to the current condition from a past one.

it is currently

Directly contrasts the present situation with a past, implied state. Requires further context.

FAQs

How can I use "it was formerly" in a sentence?

Use "it was formerly" to indicate that something had a different name, function, or state in the past. For example, "The building is now a museum; "it was formerly" a post office".

What's a more common way to say "it was formerly"?

A more common alternative is "it used to be". However, "it was formerly" is more appropriate for formal contexts.

Is "it was formerly" interchangeable with "it was previously"?

Yes, ""it was formerly"" and "it was previously" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate a past state or condition.

When should I use "it was formerly" instead of "it is now"?

Use ""it was formerly"" to emphasize the past state, while "it is now" emphasizes the current state. Use both to highlight the change.