that formerly existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that formerly existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was present or in existence in the past but is no longer the case. Example: "The ancient civilization that formerly existed in this region left behind remarkable artifacts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The city takes its name (Arabic: "The Islands") from several small islands that formerly existed in the bay, all but one of which have been connected to the shore or obliterated by harbour works.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An example would be the system of racial segregation that formerly existed in the United States – the so-called "Jim Crow" system.

SEP

Since the 2012 election, Rachel Maddow has argued that conservative conspiracy theories that formerly existed on the fringe of the Republican Party have slowly made its way into mainstream GOP politics.

Huffington Post

Likewise islands that formerly existed, perhaps at times of lower sea level in the past, are not included.

Geoscience Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

On this view it would be wrong to say that there is such a thing as Socrates; equally, it would be wrong to say that Socrates is such that he formerly existed but no longer does.

SEP

(A store formerly existed at 20 East 60th Street).

The New York Times - Food

What formerly existed off the page finds a way onto it.

The New York Times

Of the 25 churches which formerly existed in the town, 9 have survived.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today, possibly the smallest and northernmost population exists around the Nansei Shoto islands, and a population formerly existed off Taiwan.

Wikipedia

They were so called because they were built upon the site where a Temple of Jupiter (Zeus) had formerly existed.

Wikipedia

It was once thought to have formerly existed in the Atlantic Ocean, based on fossil teeth found in North Carolina dating to the Miocene epoch.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that formerly existed" to clearly indicate a past state that is no longer current, providing historical context or contrasting with the present situation.

Common error

Avoid using "formerly" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "previously", "once", or "in the past" to maintain reader interest and avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that formerly existed" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by providing additional information about something that existed in the past but no longer does. This construction adds historical context or emphasizes change.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that formerly existed" is a grammatically sound relative clause used to describe entities or conditions that were present in the past but are no longer so. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase. While not overly common, it appears across diverse sources, including news outlets, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. More informal alternatives like "that used to exist" exist, but "that formerly existed" lends a touch of formality, suitable for historical contexts or precise descriptions of change. When employing this phrase, consider varying your language to avoid overuse of "formerly" and ensure clarity in contrasting past and present scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that previously existed

Replaces "formerly" with "previously", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

that once existed

Uses "once" instead of "formerly", suggesting a time in the past when something was present.

that used to exist

Employs the phrase "used to exist" to indicate a past state of being.

that no longer exists

Focuses on the current state of non-existence, emphasizing the change.

that existed in the past

Expands the phrase to explicitly state "in the past", providing more emphasis on the temporal aspect.

that had existed

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize that the existence preceded another point in time.

that was once the case

Shifts from direct existence to a state or condition that was true at a prior time.

that is now defunct

Replaces "existed" with "defunct", indicating something that has ceased to exist or function.

that has disappeared

Implies a vanishing or ceasing to be, potentially with a sense of mystery or loss.

that is now extinct

Indicates complete disappearance, often used for species or ideas that are no longer present.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that formerly existed"?

You can use alternatives like "that previously existed", "that once existed", or "that used to exist" depending on the context.

Is "that formerly existed" formal or informal?

The phrase "that formerly existed" is considered relatively formal and can be used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. More informal alternatives include "that used to exist".

How do I use "that formerly existed" in a sentence?

You can use "that formerly existed" to describe something that was present or true in the past but is no longer the case. For example, "The kingdom that formerly existed in this region was known for its advanced architecture."

What is the difference between "that formerly existed" and "that currently exists"?

"That formerly existed" refers to something that was present in the past but is not now, while "that currently exists" refers to something that is present now. For example, "The practice that formerly existed was abolished, and a new practice that currently exists has taken its place."