was then called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was then called" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that had a different name at a previous point in time. For example, "The city of Dublin was then called Eblana."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A third retrial was then called.

Independent

East Oakland was then called Brooklyn Township.

The New York Times

It was then called Druskieniki.

The New York Times

The city was then called Dadu.

The New York Times - Travel

The country was then called Burma.

The New York Times

It was then called "America We All Love You".

The New Yorker

Mr. Pittman was then called in to resolve their disputes.

The New York Times

The Williamses were what was then called "race people".

The New Yorker

TB, or consumption as it was then called, killed one person in seven, Koch wrote.

The Guardian

He was soon hired by what was then called Abrams, Hertzberg & Cantor.

The New York Times

But Nick also wanted what was then called the counter-culture.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was then called", ensure the context clearly indicates the time frame you're referring to. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when using "was then called". If you're writing in the past tense, maintain consistency throughout the sentence or paragraph.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was then called" functions as a passive construction used to indicate a previous name or designation of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

26%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was then called" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to denote a previous name or designation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in diverse contexts, including news, scientific and general informational content. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its neutral tone renders it suitable for various registers. Remembering to maintain tense consistency and clarity regarding the relevant time frame will help in its correct application. Related phrases such as "formerly known as" offer stylistic alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly known as

Focuses on the previous identity, emphasizing the change in name.

previously named

Highlights the earlier name, similar to "was then called".

used to be called

Implies a past name that is no longer in use.

at that time known as

Emphasizes the historical context of the former name.

in those days called

Indicates a name used during a specific period.

then referred to as

Highlights the act of referring to something by a past name.

was designated as

Focuses on the assigned title or designation at a specific time.

back then named

Informal way to indicate a past name.

once bore the name of

Formal way to indicate the past name, more emphatic.

known at the time as

Similar to "was then called" but stresses the context.

FAQs

How can I use "was then called" in a sentence?

You can use "was then called" to indicate a previous name of something, for example, "The country of Myanmar "was then called Burma"".

What's a good alternative to "was then called"?

Alternatives include "formerly known as", "previously named", or "used to be called". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was then called" or "is now called" when referring to a name change?

Both are correct depending on the time frame you are referencing. Use "was then called" when discussing a past name and "is now called" when discussing the current name. For example: "It was then called A, but today "is now called B"".

What's the difference between "was then called" and "was later called"?

"Was then called" refers to the name something had at a specific point in the past, while "was later called" implies a name change that occurred at some point after the initial time frame. For example: "The project "was then called Alpha", but "was later called Beta" after a revision".