previously called

USAGE SUMMARY

"previously called" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to something that has been referred to by a different name in the past. For example, "The city of Salisbury was previously called Sarum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He previously called General Khattiya a terrorist.

The New York Times

He had previously called his accusers "horrible, horrible liars".

The Guardian

He previously called his accusers "horrible, horrible liars".

The Guardian

Hockey has previously called wind turbines "utterly offensive" and "appalling".

The Guardian

Hubert had previously called out Pinkett Smith for losing perspective.

The Guardian - Film

She has previously called for the department to be abolished.

The Guardian

Zhang, previously called Tiefu, became Hongbing, or "red soldier".

The Guardian

Mr Harper had previously called for an elected upper house.

The Economist

Amnesty International's refugee campaign coordinator, Graeme McGregor, has previously called for a transparent appeals process.

The Guardian

The Brands Hatch Circuits unit, previously called Octagon Motorsports, will be renamed Silverstone Motorsport.

The New York Times

He had previously called homosexuality a "disease" and refused to back a proposed marriage-equality law.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previously called", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the name has changed. Providing a brief explanation can improve clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid mixing past and present tenses when describing the previous and current names. For example, don't say "The restaurant previously called 'Fiamma Osteria' is now having a new menu".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously called" functions as an adverbial modifier and a passive verb construction. It indicates a state or name that existed in the past but has since changed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previously called" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a past name or designation, as Ludwig AI confirms. It’s particularly common in News & Media and Science, and its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. When using "previously called", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the name change and that tense usage is consistent. Remember that there are effective alternatives like "formerly named" and "once known as", though "previously called" remains a clear and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly named

Focuses on a change in name or designation.

once known as

Highlights a past identity or name.

originally designated

Emphasizes the initial designation or naming.

earlier referred to as

Indicates a prior reference or naming convention.

historically termed

Highlights the historical term or name.

before known as

Emphasizes the state before the present name was adopted.

used to be called

Simple way to express the earlier name.

in the past called

Focuses on the historical context of the name.

bygone name

Highlights that the previous designation is not current.

erstwhile termed

Uses a more formal way of saying 'formerly termed'.

FAQs

How to use "previously called" in a sentence?

Use "previously called" to introduce an older name for something that has been renamed. For example, "The festival, "previously called Gay Ski Week", attracted 2,800 people this year."

What can I say instead of "previously called"?

You can use alternatives like "formerly named", "once known as", or "originally designated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "previously called" or "formerly called"?

Both "previously called" and "formerly called" are correct and can be used interchangeably. However, "formerly called" might sound more formal.

What's the difference between "previously called" and "earlier called"?

"Previously called" is more common and natural-sounding than "earlier called". "Previously" emphasizes a change that happened at some point in the past, while "earlier" simply indicates something was called that name at an earlier time.