which formerly existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which 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, which formerly existed in this region, left behind remarkable artifacts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

(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

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

Geoscience Letters

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

SEP

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

The Lapidary is an open-air museum of primarily stone artworks, both originals and copies, which formerly decorated buildings that no longer exist.

Wikipedia

The dam also deprived farmers of the critical annual floods, which formerly re-fertilised the plantations.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which formerly existed" to clearly indicate that something was present or in effect at an earlier time but is not so now. This phrase is particularly useful when describing historical changes, phased-out practices, or extinct entities.

Common error

Do not use "which formerly existed" when the context already implies past existence. Overusing 'formerly' can make your writing sound repetitive. Ensure that the use of the phrase adds specific value by emphasizing the change in status.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which formerly existed" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about something that was present at some point in the past but is not so now. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase helps describe historical changes or discontinued practices.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which formerly existed" is a grammatically sound relative clause used to denote something that was present in the past but no longer is. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to provide context, often in historical or descriptive contexts. Although it appears across multiple domains, it's most frequently encountered in encyclopedic, news, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context requires specific emphasis on the past existence, and consider alternatives like "that previously existed" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that previously existed

Replaces 'formerly' with 'previously', maintaining the core meaning of something that existed at an earlier time.

which once existed

Substitutes 'formerly' with 'once', indicating a past existence.

that used to exist

Replaces the entire phrase with a more common expression indicating past existence.

that was formerly present

Replaces 'existed' with 'present', focusing on the state of being in a certain place or condition.

that had existed before

Specifies that the existence was prior to the current time.

which has become extinct

Implies the thing no longer exists, often used for species or phenomena.

that no longer exists

Directly states the non-existence of something.

that is now defunct

Indicates that something is no longer operational or functional.

which is now a thing of the past

Expresses that something existed in the past but is not relevant in the present.

which is now obsolete

Indicates that something is out of date and no longer in use.

FAQs

How can I use "which formerly existed" in a sentence?

Use "which formerly existed" to describe something that was present in the past but is no longer the case. For example, "The kingdom, "which formerly existed" in this region, was renowned for its advanced agriculture".

What are some alternatives to "which formerly existed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that previously existed", "which once existed", or "that used to exist". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that formerly existed" instead of "which formerly existed"?

Both "that" and "which" can be used to introduce a relative clause. "Which" is generally used for nonrestrictive clauses (adding extra information), while "that" is used for restrictive clauses (essential information). In most cases, "that formerly existed" is acceptable.

What is the difference between "which formerly existed" and "which no longer exists"?

"Which formerly existed" implies a change over time, suggesting something was present but isn't now. "Which no longer exists" simply states the current non-existence without necessarily emphasizing a past presence.