she was formerly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was formerly" is correct and commonly used in written English.
Example: She was formerly a successful lawyer before she decided to pursue her passion for art.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was formerly of Roslyn, NY.

The New York Times

She was formerly a representative to Unesco.

The New York Times

She was formerly at UC Davis.

University of California, Berkeley

She was formerly Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Development.

Harvard University

She was formerly married to the late Donald Benjamin.

The New York Times

She was formerly management editor of the Financial Times.

Harvard Business Review

She was formerly a reporter for the Miami Beach Sun.

The New York Times

She was formerly chairman of the Republican Party in Michigan.

The Washington Post

She was formerly an archaeologist and is currently an archivist.

The New York Times

She was formerly private secretary to Labour's chief whip.

The Guardian

She was formerly senior vice president for corporate communications at The New York Times Company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was formerly", ensure that the subsequent information clarifies her current role or status. This provides a clear contrast and underscores the transition or progression in her career or life.

Common error

Avoid using "she was formerly" without specifying her present role or status. Failing to provide current context can leave the reader wondering about her current situation, defeating the purpose of establishing her background.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was formerly" functions as an introductory phrase to provide background information about a person's previous role, status, or affiliation. It sets the stage for understanding their current position or achievements, offering context that might not be apparent otherwise. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was formerly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a past role or state of being. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to provide context and background information. Predominantly found in news, academic, and business contexts, it helps establish a timeline of experiences and provides clarity about an individual's present situation. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent information clarifies her current role or status to create a complete picture. Alternative phrases like "she used to be" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she used to be

Indicates a past state or condition that is no longer true.

she previously was

Emphasizes the prior existence of a state or role.

she had been

Highlights a past experience or role.

she once served as

Focuses on a past role or position of service.

she previously held the position of

Specifically denotes a prior job or title.

she earlier worked as

Highlights prior employment in a specific role.

she acted as

Implies that she served in that position

she functioned as

highlights the function she provided.

she used to work as

She worked in the position, but not anymore

her former role was

her position was different than it is now.

FAQs

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

Use "she was formerly" to introduce a previous role or state before describing her current situation. For example, "She was formerly a lawyer; now she is a judge."

What's a good alternative to "she was formerly"?

Alternatives include "she used to be", "she previously was", or "she had been", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "she was formerly" formal or informal?

"She was formerly" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone, suitable for professional and academic writing. However, the specific context can affect the perceived formality.

What's the difference between "she was formerly" and "she is formerly"?

"She was formerly" indicates a past state or role that is no longer current. "She is formerly" is grammatically incorrect; the correct usage requires the past tense "was".