formerly

Everyday

1. Formerly means in the past, before now, but not any more. tree →
2. (formal) Formerly is used to give the old name of a person, place or thing. tree →

In the lessons

It tells the reader that something used to be true: «the library, formerly a church». In everyday life you see it on signs and in news: «formerly known as». In exam and formal writing it replaces «used to be». Phrases: formerly known as, formerly called.

Examples

• The café was formerly a bank. tree →
• Mrs Smith, formerly Miss Jones, is our new teacher. tree →
• The town was formerly a busy port. tree →
• This land was formerly covered in forest. tree →
• The shop, formerly known as Toyland, has a new name. tree →
• He formerly lived in Dublin, but now he lives in Cork. tree →
• The building was formerly used as a school. tree →
• She would be as ‘terribly lonely’ as he had formerly been. tree →

Note

An adverb. Do not confuse with «formally» (in a polite, official way) — they sound almost the same. «Formerly» = before; «formally» = officially. Mixing them is a very common spelling trap.