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Dictionaries
Commonly Confused Words
Formally/Formerly
Master confusing words with ease
Nadir/Zenith
Abstractedly/Abstractly
En route/On route
Mother-in-laws/Mothers-in-law
Formally vs. Formerly
Formally
/ˈfɔːməli/
In a manner that follows formal rules or customs
Examples:
He was
formally
invited to join the board.
The law was
formally
approved last week.
She was
formally
dressed for the gala evening.
Synonyms:
officially
ceremoniously
properly
Antonyms:
informally
casually
Formerly
/ˈfɔːməli/
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
Previously known by a different name or in a different state.
Examples:
'Then it IS the lady as
formerly
objected?' said Wegg.
I was a countryman
formerly
."
"One of the four braves who
formerly
performed such prodigies."
Synonyms:
previously
earlier
once
before
Antonyms:
currently
now
today
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
Ways to tell them apart:
Formally
has an
L
in it just like
Legal
or
Law,
which can help you remember it's related to formal things or official procedures.
Formerly
starts with
Form,
as in
before
or
previous,
so it is related to time, meaning something used to be a certain way.
Remember that
formally
is used in situations where etiquette, rules, or official settings are involved.
In
formerly,
the
for
can remind you of
before,
indicating something that existed in the past.
Use
formally
when discussing manners or official processes and
formerly
when discussing past identities or conditions.
When to use formally:
When to use formerly:
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