used to be called

USAGE SUMMARY

"used to be called" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that had a different name in the past. For example, "The school I attended as a child used to be called Oakfield Elementary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It used to be called Hotel Kandinsky.

The Guardian - Travel

IT used to be called investment dressing.

The New York Times - Style

This used to be called usury.

The New York Times

Marble Arch used to be called Selfridges.

The Guardian

He used to be called Rhubarb.

The Guardian

This used to be called class politics.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This used to be called Murder Mile.

The Guardian

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis used to be called Wegeners Diseasee.

Stanford University

Grove mainstreamed what used to be called "the underground".

The New Yorker

Particularly controversial, this used to be called structural adjustment lending.

The Guardian - Business

What used to be called documentary theater was once straightforward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "used to be called" to clarify potentially confusing references, especially when discussing historical or evolving subjects.

Common error

Avoid using "used to be call" or other grammatically incorrect variations. Ensure the correct past tense and passive voice are maintained: "used to be called".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used to be called" functions as a verbal phrase in the passive voice. It indicates a past designation or name that is no longer current. As Ludwig shows, it's frequently used to clarify name changes or historical references.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "used to be called" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something had a different name in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable sources, mainly within News & Media. While versatile, more formal options like "was formerly known as" might suit academic or professional writing better. Remember that this expression serves to clarify name changes and historical context, ensuring clarity and understanding in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was formerly known as

Indicates a previous official name.

was previously named

Highlights a prior name, emphasizing the change.

was originally called

Indicates the initial name at the time of origin.

once went by the name of

Suggests a more distant or less formal past.

is now known as, but previously

Explicitly contrasts the current name with the previous one.

at one time was called

Emphasizes a specific period in the past.

in the past was known as

Stresses a known identity of something in past.

was once referred to as

Focuses on how something was addressed or known.

used to go by

A more informal way of indicating a past name.

had the former name of

Highlights the difference between the current and past names.

FAQs

How can I use "used to be called" in a sentence?

Use "used to be called" to indicate a previous name or designation. For example, "That restaurant "used to be called" The Blue Spoon."

What's a more formal alternative to "used to be called"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "was formerly known as" or "was previously named".

Is "used to be called" appropriate for all types of writing?

"Used to be called" is suitable for various writing styles, from informal to neutral. However, in highly formal or academic contexts, alternatives like "was formerly known as" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "used to be called" and "was called"?

"Used to be called" implies a change in name, whereas "was called" simply states a past name without necessarily implying a change. For example, "The city "used to be called" New Amsterdam" suggests it's now known by a different name (New York), while "The city "was called" New Amsterdam in the 17th century" only states a historical fact.