Formerly vs. Formally can confuse English learners, students, writers, and native speakers because these word pairs look almost identical at first glance. Although they sound similar and may be pronounced identically by some speakers, a tiny difference of one letter can change everything and shift meaning completely. Both are adverbs, but they have different meanings and serve different purposes. Formerly refers to the past, meaning previously or what something used to be, while formally means officially or in a proper manner. It can describe a polite manner, proper behavior, official manners, proper manners, recognized procedures, or an official process. Understanding each word’s purpose, use, and usage helps you write correctly every time.
In my experience as a grammar guy, I have noticed this confusion in professional writing, formal writing, academic papers, business documents, emails, resumes, books, online articles, essays, and conversations. People often pause while typing or writing because these words can sound academic and appear in serious contexts or similar sentence positions. Consider the sentence, “She was formerly the CEO.” You may have wondered whether it should be written with formally instead. However, formerly means she previously held the CEO position. Writing “She was formally the CEO” suggests a different meaning and may create confusing writing. These words have different spellings and are not interchangeable, even though they express totally different ideas that can be easy to overlook. This is not a British English, American English, or British vs. American English issue. Both are correct English words, whether you have seen them online or assumed they were the same word.
The easiest way to avoid common mistakes is to remember that formerly deals with time, while formally deals with rules, structure, and official style. These words are set apart by their different jobs, even when a quick glance makes them seem alike. Missing this difference can raise eyebrows, change the whole meaning of a sentence, and lead to a full mix-up at the wrong time. When untangling these two contenders in English, think of formerly as a reference to an earlier time and formally as a way to describe an official action or proper conduct. This practical way helps peel back layers of confusion without revealing secrets or making the journey of mastering the language feel tangled. With clarity and a little surprise along the way, this guide explores their origins, highlights subtle differences, and provides real-life examples to help you choose the right word with full confidence in real writing. Hold off on guessing and ask one simple question: did something happen in the past, or was it done officially? This makes it easier to know which word to use.
Let’s dive in!
Quick Answer:
Formerly vs. formally: Formerly means previously or in the past, while formally means officially or in a proper, structured manner. Use formerly for previous names, jobs, and situations; use formally for official announcements, appointments, and ceremonies.
TL;DR
- Formerly describes something that existed or happened in the past.
- Formally describes an official, proper, or conventional way of doing something.
- “Formerly known as” introduces a previous name.
- “Formally announced” describes an official announcement.
- Replace formerly with “previously” to check your word choice.
- Replace formally with “officially” when that meaning fits.
What Is the Difference Between Formerly and Formally?
The main difference is time versus manner. Understanding this distinction helps American readers choose the right word in personal, academic, and professional writing.
Formerly Means Previously
Formerly is an adverb that means previously, earlier, or in the past. It describes a situation, identity, position, or condition that existed at an earlier time.
For example:
- The building was formerly a library.
- She formerly worked for a newspaper.
- The organization was formerly known as Green Valley Foundation.
- He was formerly the company’s regional manager.
In each example, formerly points to an earlier situation. It doesn’t describe how someone performed an action.
Formally Means Officially or Properly
Formally is an adverb that describes something done officially, according to accepted procedures, or in a formal manner. Depending on the sentence, it can also refer to conventional behavior or ceremonial occasions.
For example:
- The board formally approved the proposal.
- The university formally welcomed its new president.
- Guests were formally dressed for the ceremony.
- She formally accepted the invitation.
Here, formally explains the manner, procedure, or official nature of an action.
Formerly vs. Formally at a Glance
| Feature | Formerly | Formally |
| Main meaning | Previously or in the past | Officially or in a proper manner |
| Main purpose | Describes an earlier state | Describes manner or procedure |
| Related word | Former | Formal |
| Common phrase | Formerly known as | Formally approved |
| Example | The hotel was formerly a hospital. | The hotel was formally opened. |
| Quick substitute | Previously | Officially, when appropriate |
The simplest rule is to ask yourself one question: Am I describing when something was true or how an action happened? If you’re describing the past, formerly is usually correct. If you’re describing an official or proper action, formally is the better choice.
What Does Formerly Mean?
Formerly describes something that was true in the past but may no longer be true today. It’s especially useful when discussing previous names, jobs, ownership, and identities.
Common Uses of Formerly
Use formerly when describing an earlier situation or status.
- Previous names: The company was formerly called Bright Star Media.
- Past employment: He formerly worked as a high school teacher.
- Previous ownership: The house was formerly owned by her grandparents.
- Earlier purposes: This building was formerly a post office.
- Past positions: She formerly served as the department chair.
Notice how each sentence points toward an earlier period. The word doesn’t necessarily tell you exactly when the change happened.
Example Sentences With Formerly
Here are additional examples showing how formerly works in everyday American English.
Example 1: The restaurant was formerly a neighborhood grocery store.
This means the building once housed a grocery store. It now serves a different purpose.
Example 2: Daniel was formerly the team’s captain.
This tells you that Daniel held the position previously. It doesn’t explain how he received the position.
Example 3: The group was formerly known as the Community Arts Project.
This sentence identifies the group’s previous name. Its current name may be different.
Example 4: She formerly lived in Chicago before moving to Denver.
This describes an earlier living arrangement. The word formerly emphasizes the past rather than the move itself.
What Does Formally Mean?
Formally describes an action performed in an official, proper, or established way. It can also describe behavior, clothing, or communication that follows formal conventions.
Common Uses of Formally
You’ll often see formally in workplaces, schools, government settings, and important social events.
- Official approval: The committee formally approved the new policy.
- Professional introductions: The host formally introduced the guest speaker.
- Academic recognition: The university formally recognized her achievements.
- Proper clothing: Everyone was formally dressed for the reception.
- Official appointments: The board formally appointed a new director.
In these examples, formally describes how an action occurred or how someone behaved. It doesn’t simply mean that something happened in the past.
Example Sentences With Formally
Example 1: The company formally announced its expansion plans.
This means the company made an official announcement. The word emphasizes the announcement’s status or manner.
Example 2: The couple was formally introduced at the reception.
This suggests that the introduction followed an appropriate or recognized social convention.
Example 3: The professor was formally trained in biology.
This means the professor received structured education or training. The sentence doesn’t necessarily describe the professor’s current qualifications.
Example 4: The organization formally accepted the proposal.
This indicates that the organization accepted the proposal through an official or recognized process.
Formerly Known As vs. Formally Known As
One of the most common questions about these words concerns the phrase “formerly known as.” In standard usage, formerly known as is the correct expression when referring to a previous name.
Why Formerly Known As Is Correct
The phrase formerly known as tells readers that a person, place, company, or organization had a different name in the past.
For example:
- The school was formerly known as Lincoln Academy.
- The company was formerly known as Northstar Publishing.
- The building was formerly known as the Grand Theater.
- The artist was formerly known as a member of the group.
Each example refers to an earlier name or identity. Therefore, formerly expresses the intended meaning.
Can Formally Known As Ever Be Correct?
Formally known as can appear in unusual contexts where formally genuinely describes an official or formal manner of recognition. However, it isn’t the standard substitute for formerly known as.
Compare these sentences:
Formerly known as: The organization was formerly known as the Green Earth Project.
The organization previously used that name.
Formally recognized as: The organization was formally recognized as a community leader.
The organization received official recognition.
When you’re discussing a name change, choose formerly known as. When you’re discussing official recognition, formally recognized as is often more appropriate.
Formerly vs. Formally in Professional Writing
Choosing the correct word matters in business emails, résumés, reports, and workplace announcements. Both words are useful in American professional writing, but they communicate different information.
In Résumés and Work Histories
Formerly helps describe previous employment or professional roles.
For example:
“Maria was formerly the regional sales manager.”
This tells readers that Maria held that position in the past.
However, formally describes official actions or recognized procedures.
For example:
“The company formally appointed Maria as regional sales manager.”
This explains how the appointment occurred, not whether she still holds the position.
In Business Emails and Reports
Consider these examples:
Formerly: The department was formerly part of the marketing division.
Formally: The company formally approved the department’s restructuring.
The first describes an earlier organizational arrangement. The second describes an official decision.
Similarly, a report might explain that a business formerly operated in California. Another report might state that the business formally registered its new office.
The distinction helps readers understand whether you’re describing history or procedure.
Formerly vs. Formally in Academic Writing
Students and researchers often use these words when discussing institutions, historical changes, qualifications, and official decisions. Using the right word keeps the intended meaning clear.
Examples in Academic Contexts
Formerly: The college was formerly affiliated with a state university.
This describes a previous institutional relationship.
Formally: The university formally recognized the student’s research contributions.
This describes an official act of recognition.
Formerly: The professor formerly taught at a private institution.
This refers to previous employment.
Formally: The professor was formally trained in classical literature.
This describes structured education or training rather than practical experience alone.
However, context still matters. Formally doesn’t always mean officially; it can also describe a conventional manner or a carefully structured arrangement.
Formerly vs. Formally: Pronunciation and Spelling
These words look similar, and their pronunciation can sound alike during quick conversation. Their spelling and root words provide helpful clues.
How to Pronounce Formerly
In American English, formerly is commonly pronounced FOR-mer-lee.
The middle syllable sounds like the word “mer.” This pronunciation reflects its connection to former, which means previous or earlier.
How to Pronounce Formally
Formally is commonly pronounced FOR-muh-lee.
The middle syllable sounds closer to “muh.” The word comes from formal, which relates to accepted forms, proper conduct, or established procedures.
Pronunciation varies somewhat among speakers. Therefore, the meaning and sentence context remain more reliable than sound alone.
A Simple Spelling Trick
Look at the base word inside each adverb:
- Formerly = former + ly.
- Formally = formal + ly.
The first connects to an earlier time or status. The second connects to formality, official procedures, or proper behavior.
This trick is especially helpful when writing quickly or proofreading a document.
Common Mistakes When Using Formerly and Formally
Both words are spelled correctly, so a spell-checker may not catch a mistaken substitution. Understanding the intended meaning is the best way to avoid these errors.
Mistake 1: Writing Formally Known As
Incorrect for a previous name: The museum was formally known as the City Gallery.
Better: The museum was formerly known as the City Gallery.
The corrected version clearly identifies the museum’s previous name.
Mistake 2: Using Formerly for Official Approval
Incorrect for an official approval: The board formerly approved the budget.
Better: The board formally approved the budget.
The first sentence suggests that the approval happened in the past. The second emphasizes the official nature of the approval.
Mistake 3: Assuming Formally Always Means Officially
Formally can also describe proper behavior, structured training, and conventional arrangements.
For example, “She was formally dressed for the ceremony” describes her clothing. It doesn’t mean someone officially approved her outfit.
Mistake 4: Treating the Words as Interchangeable
Consider this sentence:
“The company formerly announced its new policy.”
This suggests that the announcement occurred previously, perhaps before another event. It doesn’t clearly say the announcement was official.
If you mean the company made an official announcement, use “formally announced.”
How to Remember the Difference Between Formerly and Formally
A quick memory trick can help you choose correctly without checking a dictionary every time. Focus on the base word and what your sentence needs to express.
Use the Previously-or-Officially Test
Try replacing the word with a simpler alternative.
Test one: Can you replace it with “previously”?
The building was formerly a bank.
The building was previously a bank.
Both sentences communicate the same idea, so formerly is correct.
Test two: Can you replace it with “officially”?
The board formally accepted the proposal.
The board officially accepted the proposal.
Both sentences make sense, so formally fits.
However, officially isn’t a perfect substitute in every context. When formally describes clothing, manners, or structured training, the surrounding sentence provides the answer.
Remember Time vs. Manner
Keep this short rule in mind:
- Formerly answers: “When was this true?”
- Formally answers: “How was this done?”
For example, a building was formerly a courthouse. It was formally opened as a museum.
The first sentence describes the building’s history. The second describes an official opening.
FAQs:
What is the difference between formerly and formally?
Formerly means previously or in the past, while formally means officially or in a proper manner. For example, “She was formerly a teacher” means she worked as a teacher in the past. “She was formally introduced” means someone officially introduced her.
Can formerly and formally be used interchangeably?
No, formerly and formally are not interchangeable. They have different meanings and serve different purposes in a sentence. Using the wrong word can change the intended meaning and confuse your readers.
What is an example of formerly in a sentence?
Here is an example: “He formerly worked for a major technology company.” This sentence means he worked for that company in the past but does not work there now. Formerly often describes previous jobs, positions, names, or situations.
What is an example of formally in a sentence?
Here is an example: “The manager formally announced the new policy.” In this sentence, formally means the manager made the announcement through an official or proper process. It can also describe polite behavior, official ceremonies, and recognized procedures.
Is formerly a formal word?
Yes, formerly can sound formal, especially in professional writing, academic papers, and official documents. However, it simply means “previously” or “in the past.” You can also use it in everyday conversations when discussing something that existed or happened before.
Is formally related to formal?
Yes, formally comes from the adjective formal. It describes an action performed according to accepted rules, official procedures, or proper standards. For example, “The students were formally dressed for the ceremony” describes their clothing, while “They were formally welcomed” describes how they were received.
How can I remember when to use formerly or formally?
Remember that formerly refers to the past, while formally refers to an official or proper manner. Ask yourself whether the sentence describes something that happened before or something done according to formal rules. If it refers to an earlier time, use formerly. If it describes an official action or proper conduct, use formally.
Conclusion:
Understanding Formerly vs. Formally helps you communicate clearly and avoid common grammar mistakes. Although these words look and sound similar, their meanings are different. Formerly refers to a previous time or situation, while formally describes an official process, proper behavior, or an accepted way of doing something.
Before choosing either word, consider what your sentence means. If you are describing a former job, position, or name, use formerly. If you are discussing an official announcement, ceremony, or proper procedure, use formally. Remembering this simple distinction will help you use both words correctly in everyday conversations, academic assignments, and professional writing.
