which was formerly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which was formerly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has changed from a previous state or condition. Example: "The building, which was formerly a library, has now been converted into a community center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

681, which was formerly set out as a note below.

Cornell University

(3) relating to exemption from certain disclosure requirements, which was formerly designated subsec.

Cornell University

2386, which was formerly set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Cornell University

681, which was formerly set out as a note under section 580 of this title.

Cornell University

7, which was formerly set out in a note under section 717 of this title.

Cornell University

It functions as the landlord at the Paine Webber Building, which was formerly Equitable's headquarters.

The New York Times

Chobani's yogurt bar, which was formerly a Swatch store, opened last week.

The New York Times

Malaria, which was formerly endemic throughout Madhya Pradesh, has been virtually eradicated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The chief town and port is Angra do Heroísmo, which was formerly capital of the Azores.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The rookie cornerback ROD BABERS is wearing No. 31, which was formerly worn by JASON SEHORN.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Borrmann's settlement capped a difficult month for McAfee, which was formerly known as Network Associates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a change, ensure that using "which was formerly" clearly indicates the shift from the previous state to the current one. This helps avoid ambiguity, especially in historical or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "which is formerly" as it implies the subject is still in the process of being in a previous state. The correct form, "which was formerly", denotes a completed change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was formerly" functions as a relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about the noun it modifies. Ludwig shows many examples of this phrase being used to specify a previous state, name, or condition of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

27%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which was formerly" is a versatile relative clause used to denote a past state or condition, providing context about a change over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in varied sources like news articles, academic papers, and encyclopedias, making it suitable for neutral and professional writing styles. While the phrase is typically used to give background information, avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "formerly known as", which is used to introduce previous names, and avoid incorrect usages such as "which is formerly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which previously was

Changes the word order slightly and uses "previously" instead of "formerly".

that used to be

Uses a more conversational tone with "used to be" replacing "was formerly".

that once was

Replaces "formerly" with "once", indicating a past state.

that had been

Uses a past perfect construction to indicate a previous state.

that was earlier

Specifies that something was in a certain state at an earlier time.

that erstwhile was

Employs the more formal term "erstwhile" in place of "formerly".

which it had been

Uses a past perfect form with a change in word order.

which it once had been

Expresses a prior state using "once had been".

which is its former

Rephrases to focus on the "former" identity as a current attribute.

that it was known as

Focuses on a previous name or designation.

FAQs

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

Use "which was formerly" to provide additional information about something's past state or identity. For example: "The restaurant, "which was formerly" a library, is now a popular spot."

What are some alternatives to "which was formerly"?

You can use alternatives like "that used to be", "previously known as", or "once was" depending on the context and level of formality. For example: "The company, "previously known as" Acme Corp, is now GlobalTech."

Is it correct to say "which is formerly" instead of "which was formerly"?

No, "which is formerly" is incorrect. The correct phrasing is "which was formerly" to indicate a past state or condition that has changed. Using "is" suggests the state is current, which contradicts the meaning of "formerly".

What's the difference between "which was formerly" and "formerly known as"?

"Which was formerly" is used within a clause to provide extra information about something's past. "Formerly known as" is more commonly used to introduce a previous name or identity directly. For example: "The building, "which was formerly" a bank, is now an apartment complex" versus "The organization, "formerly known as" the Children's Fund, has rebranded as Family First".