then known

USAGE SUMMARY

"then known" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "At the time, the politician was then known as an advocate for social reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Back in 2006, Twitter (then known as Twttr) was an up-start, little-known microblogging site.

Huffington Post

It was then known as the Columbian College.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The observation is then known as a multi-OBI observation.

Harvard University

The neighborhood was then known as Fulton Landing.

The New York Times

It was then known as the Kansas State Normal School.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then, known weights are substituted for the unknown load.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He started his career in 1936 with the company, then known as Continental Can.

Cornell University

Unfortunately, home was in what was then known as the Eastern Region (Biafra).

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Quins last won the tournament, then known as the Amlin Challenge Cup, in 2011.

BBC

Sindh, then known as Thatta, was a district in the province of Multan.

Britannica

Little was then known of the dangers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "then known", ensure the context clearly establishes the time frame you are referencing to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "then known" when referring to future events. This phrase indicates a name or identity that was valid in the past, not the future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then known" functions as a post-modifier, adding information about a subject's previous name or identity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "then known" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a past name or identity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and widely used. Its primary function is to provide historical context and avoid confusion. It appears most frequently in news articles, academic papers, and encyclopedic entries. When using "then known", ensure clarity and appropriate tense. Alternatives such as "formerly called" or "previously named" may be suitable depending on the context. "Then known" serves a valuable purpose for conveying changes to names over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly called

Indicates a previous name; more concise.

previously named

Similar to 'formerly called', emphasizes the name change.

at that time called

Specifies a particular time when the name was different.

once known as

Highlights a past identity or name.

back then known as

Adds emphasis to a time in the past when it was known by another name.

originally called

Highlights the initial name of something.

used to be called

Informal way to indicate a name change.

by its former name

Refers to a previous name or identity.

in those days known as

Implies the name was used in a specific period.

at that point known as

Specifies that at a certain point, there was a different name.

FAQs

How can I use "then known" in a sentence?

Use "then known" to indicate a past name or identity, as in, "The company, "then known" as Acme Corp, was founded in 1950."

What's an alternative to "then known"?

Alternatives include "formerly called", "previously named", or "at that time called". For example, instead of "The band, "then known" as The Sprouts...", you could say "The band, formerly called The Sprouts...".

Is it correct to use "then known" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically possible, it's less common. It's usually clearer to introduce the subject first, then add the "then known" clause. For example: "The city, "at that time known as" York, is now called Toronto."

What's the difference between "then known" and "now known"?

"Then known" refers to a past name or identity, while "now known" refers to the current name. They serve opposite purposes in indicating name changes. For example: "The artist, "then known" as Prince, is "now known as" a symbol."