Basic Details
Word: Formerly
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: In the past; at an earlier time, but not now.
Synonyms: previously, once, earlier
Antonyms: now, currently, presently
Sounds like: formally (in a formal, official or correct way)
How to Spell Formerly
Syllables: for - mer - ly
Tricky part: Formerly comes from former, so the middle is -er-. Do not mix it up with formally, which comes from formal.
Watch out for: formerley, formarly, formorly
Memory tip: Formerly is about the former, earlier time; keep the er of former and add ly.
Usage Examples
Example 1: This wide road was formerly a narrow mud track.
Example 2: The museum was formerly a royal guest house.
Example 3: Ms D'Souza, formerly our class teacher, is now the vice-principal.
Fun Fact
The city of Mumbai was officially renamed from Bombay in 1995, so older maps and books still show the former name.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of 'formerly' as it is used in the sentence:
The old fort, formerly a prison, now houses a crafts market and a small museum.
a) currently
b) previously
c) once
d) officially
Show answer
a) currently. Previously and once point to the past like formerly; currently means now.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
The tall red building near the railway station, formarly a cotton mill, now has a busy library on its ground floor and offices above it.
a) library
b) building
c) formarly
d) station
Show answer
c) formarly. The word comes from former, so it has er in the middle.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word:
1. calander 2. immediatly 3. desparate 4. formerly
a) in the past; at an earlier time
b) at once, without delay
c) a chart showing the days and months of a year
d) having lost hope, ready to try anything
Show answer
a) in the past; at an earlier time. Desperate has an e after the p, immediately keeps the e of immediate, and calendar ends in -ar.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Choose the right word: The new library will be ____ opened by the mayor next Monday.
a) formely
b) formaly
c) formerly
d) formally
Show answer
d) formally
2. 'Kolkata, formerly Calcutta' tells us that ____.
a) Calcutta is a new city
b) Kolkata will be renamed
c) both cities are different
d) Calcutta was its earlier name
Show answer
d) Calcutta was its earlier name
