“Formally” vs. “Formerly”: What’s the Difference?
Jun 8, 2023
Engram
The difference between “formally” and “formerly”
- Formally is related to behavior and procedure, while formerly refers to time.
- Formally carries a sense of seriousness or adherence to rules, while formerly is neutral in tone.
- Formally is typically used in professional or legal contexts, while formerly can be used in a wide variety of contexts.
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What is the definition of “formally” and “formerly”?
Formally
- Formality refers to an official or serious manner or behavior.
- It can also refer to conforming to established customs or rules.
- Formality is often used in professional or legal contexts.
Formerly
- Formerly refers to something that existed or happened in the past.
- It is often used to describe how a person or thing was in a previous time period.
- Formerly can also mean that something has changed or is no longer the case.
Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?
“Formerly” is the more popular variant on the web.
Formally
344,000,000 results on the web
Examples
- The employees were instructed to dress formally for the company party.
- The CEO formally announced the company's new product line at the press conference.
- The legal contract must be formally signed by both parties before it becomes valid.
More popular
Formerly
588,000,000 results on the web
Examples
- The building was formerly a bank, but now it's been converted into a restaurant.
- He formerly worked in finance, but now he's pursuing a career in acting.
- The politician was formerly a member of the opposition party before switching sides.
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