Cool MateFormerly vs Now it used to be vs Previously
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Formerly
Now it used to be
Previously
| Formerly | Now it used to be | Previously | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɔːməli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɔːrmərli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //naʊ ɪt juːst tə biː//🇺🇸 //naʊ ɪt juːst tə bi// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpriːviəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpriːviəsli/"]/ |
| Meaning | in the past; before now | Something that was true in the past but may not be now. | Before now; earlier. |
| Example | Namibia, formerly known as South West Africa | Now it used to be a lively market here. | The building had previously been used as a hotel. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | |
| Collocations | formerly a leader, formerly known, formerly used | now it used to be, used to be popular, used to be common | previously mentioned, previously discussed, previously stated, previously introduced, previously reported |
| Antonyms | currently, now | - | subsequently, afterwards |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'formally' — 'formerly' relates to the past, while 'formally' relates to official contexts., Omitting it when describing past roles or states, which can lead to ambiguity. | Mixing up verb tenses; 'Now it use to be' is incorrect., Forgetting to include 'it' in the phrase., Confusing with 'now it is' which has a different meaning. | Using 'previous' instead of 'previously' in a sentence., Confusing 'previously' with 'currently' which means now., Misplacing 'previously' in a sentence and changing the meaning. |
| Usage notes | Use 'formerly' to describe something that was true in the past but is no longer the case. It is more formal than saying 'used to'. Avoid in casual conversations. | Often used to refer to changes over time, popular in conversational English. Avoid in formal writing. | Use 'previously' to connect past events with the present. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts but may sound too formal in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Formerly vs Now it used to be vs Previously
What's the difference between Formerly, Now it used to be, and Previously?
Formerly: in the past; before now Now it used to be: Something that was true in the past but may not be now. Previously: Before now; earlier.
Which is more formal: Formerly, Now it used to be, and Previously?
Formerly is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Formerly, Now it used to be, and Previously?
Formerly is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Formerly: Namibia, formerly known as South West Africa Now it used to be: Now it used to be a lively market here. Previously: The building had previously been used as a hotel.
Can I use Formerly, Now it used to be, and Previously interchangeably?
Not always. Formerly, Now it used to be, and Previously are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.