its former glory

USAGE SUMMARY

'its former glory' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to something that was previously impressive or successful, but no longer is. For example, "The once grand theater had lost its former glory and now lay in disrepair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

London mayor Boris Johnson said it would return Croydon to "its former glory".

BBC

I want to restore it to its former glory.

Independent

He took a club that had collapsed and returned it to its former glory".

Independent

Japan still has a long way to go before it regains its former glory.

Forbes

Freese and Hensarling are trying to restore it to its former glory.

Huffington Post

Thereafter it never regained its former glory and dwindled to the status of a village.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since that time it has never regained its former glory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Adriana and Robert Mnuchin have restored it to well beyond its former glory.

The New York Times - Food

Hopefully, it will be restored to its former glory.

BBC

Following a £400,000 project, it has been restored to its former glory.

BBC

It has since been restored to its former glory, complete with oak panelled walls and a new organ.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "its former glory", ensure the subject you're referring to has genuinely experienced a period of significant success or recognition. Overusing it for minor improvements can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "its former glory" to describe something that never actually achieved a state of true excellence. This can lead to inaccuracies and weaken your argument. Consider if phrases like "potential" or "promise" might be more suitable if the subject never quite reached its peak.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "its former glory" functions as a noun phrase, where 'its' is a possessive pronoun modifying 'former glory'. It refers to a state of past excellence or prominence that is no longer current. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "its former glory" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something that once possessed greatness but no longer does. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It's prevalence in news and media highlights its broad applicability, while resources like Ludwig offer diverse examples of usage. When employing this phrase, ensure the subject genuinely experienced a significant period of success, and avoid overusing it in less impactful situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

its previous splendor

Replaces "glory" with "splendor", emphasizing magnificence and grandeur.

its past eminence

Substitutes "glory" with "eminence", highlighting a position of high rank or reputation in the past.

its bygone magnificence

Replaces "former glory" with "bygone magnificence", focusing on the grandeur of the past.

its earlier prestige

Substitutes "glory" with "prestige", underscoring the respect and admiration it once held.

its old heyday

Replaces "former glory" with "old heyday", indicating a peak period of success or popularity.

the zenith of its time

Replaces "former glory" with "zenith of its time", signifying the highest point or peak of its existence.

its prime days

Substitutes "former glory" with "prime days", indicating the best or most successful period.

what once made it great

Rephrases "its former glory" to focus on the qualities that contributed to its past success.

the height of its power

Replaces "former glory" with "height of its power", emphasizing a past period of strength and influence.

its golden age

Replaces "former glory" with "golden age", signifying a period of prosperity and achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "its former glory" in a sentence?

You can use "its former glory" to describe something that once held a high status but has since declined. For example, "The theater is being renovated to restore "its former glory"."

What's a good substitute for "its former glory"?

Alternatives include "its previous splendor", "its past eminence", or "its bygone magnificence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it's former glory" instead of "its former glory"?

No, "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has", while "its" is the possessive form. "Its former glory" is the correct possessive form to use in this context.

What is the difference between "its former glory" and "its past glory"?

"Its former glory" and "its past glory" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. "Former" emphasizes that the glory is no longer present, while "past" simply indicates that the glory existed in the past.