were formerly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were formerly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something existed or was true in the past but is no longer the case. Example: "The buildings were formerly used as a school before being converted into apartments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Both Jacob and Colleen were formerly goths.

The New Yorker

Both are Democrats and were formerly allies.

The New York Times

Many of these decisions were formerly the preserve of politicians".

The Guardian - Business

The two stores were formerly operated by A & S.

The New York Times

"We're not competitors as we were formerly," Mr. Meagher said.

The New York Times

Where communities were formerly insular, now they flow together.

The New Yorker

The Bodo were formerly dominant in Assam until about 1825.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Lakers were formerly on the Fox Sports West network.

The New York Times - Sports

Claiming they migrated from Java, the Ngada were formerly hunters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All species were formerly included in the genus Dactylorchis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The units were formerly called, respectively, gauss and oersted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were formerly" to clearly indicate that something was true or existed in the past but is no longer the case. This is useful when providing historical context or explaining changes over time.

Common error

Avoid using "were formerly" when describing something that is still ongoing or has not changed. Ensure the context clearly indicates a past state that no longer exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were formerly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that a condition or state existed in the past but no longer does. Ludwig AI examples illustrate this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

27%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were formerly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to indicate that something was true or existed in the past but is no longer the case. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to provide historical context and highlight changes over time. The phrase is versatile and can be found in various contexts, ranging from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific publications. While similar phrases like "used to be" and "previously were" exist, "were formerly" maintains a slightly more formal tone. Avoiding its use when describing current or future states is crucial for maintaining grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formally were

Similar to "were formerly", but with a slightly different emphasis on official status.

used to be

Emphasizes a habitual or continuous state in the past that has ceased.

previously were

Highlights the temporal sequence, indicating something was in the past.

once were

Implies a time in the past when something was true, often with a nostalgic connotation.

had been

Indicates a past perfect state, emphasizing the completion of the state before another point in time.

at one time were

Stresses that something was true at a specific point in the past.

in the past were

Directly indicates a past condition, often used for clarification.

earlier were

Focuses on the earlier period when something was true.

heretofore were

A more formal and less common way to indicate a past state.

erstwhile were

A more archaic and literary way to say "were formerly".

FAQs

How can I use "were formerly" in a sentence?

Use "were formerly" to describe something that existed or was true in the past but is no longer the case. For example: "The buildings "were formerly" a school before being converted into apartments."

What are some alternatives to using "were formerly"?

You can use alternatives like "used to be", "previously were", or "once were" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "were formerly" and "are formerly"?

Yes, "were formerly" indicates a past state, while "are formerly" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. The past tense "were" is necessary to show that something is no longer the case.

Can I use "were formerly" to describe future events?

No, "were formerly" is used exclusively to describe past situations that have changed. It cannot be used to refer to future events or states.