Formally means in an official, proper, or conventional way, while formerly means previously or at an earlier time. Although these two words look and sound similar, they describe completely different things.
For example, a company might formally announce its new president. That president might have formerly worked as a teacher.
The first sentence describes how an announcement happens. The second describes what someone did in the past.
Confusing these words can change the meaning of a sentence, especially in professional emails, business reports, academic writing, and company announcements.
This guide explains formally vs. formerly with clear definitions, pronunciation tips, comparison charts, practical examples, common mistakes, and a short quiz.
Quick Answer: Formally vs. Formerly
- 🎩 Formally: Officially, according to established procedures, or in a proper manner.
- ⏳ Formerly: Previously, earlier, or at some time in the past.
Examples:
- “The board formally approved the budget.”
- “She was formerly the company’s director.”
- “Guests dressed formally for the ceremony.”
- “The building was formerly a hospital.”
Easy memory trick: Formally comes from formal. Formerly comes from former.
TL;DR
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Formally | Officially | The decision was formally announced. |
| Formally | In a proper manner | He dressed formally. |
| Formally | According to structure | The argument is formally valid. |
| Formerly | Previously | She formerly worked in finance. |
| Formerly | At an earlier time | The building was formerly a library. |
Bottom line: Use formally for official actions, procedures, or formal behavior. Use formerly for previous names, positions, places, or conditions.
Formally vs. Formerly: Quick Difference
The easiest way to understand formally vs. formerly is to ask what information the word provides.
Formally usually explains how something happens.
Formerly explains when something was true.
Compare these sentences:
- “The manager formally introduced the new employee.”
- “The manager formerly worked in accounting.”
In the first example, the introduction followed an official or conventional process.
In the second, the manager previously held a different job.
| Feature | Formally | Formerly |
|---|---|---|
| Main meaning | In a formal manner | At an earlier time |
| Describes | Manner or procedure | Time or past condition |
| Root word | Formal | Former |
| Part of speech | Adverb | Adverb |
| Common synonym | Officially | Previously |
| Common phrase | Formally approved | Formerly known as |
Quick rule: If officially fits the intended meaning, formally may be correct. If previously fits, choose formerly.
What Does Formally Mean?
Formally is an adverb formed from the adjective formal. It has several related meanings.
Formally Meaning Officially
It can describe something done through an established procedure or recognized process.
Example: “The university formally approved the research proposal.”
This means the university completed an official approval process.
Formally Meaning in a Proper Manner
It can describe behavior that follows social conventions.
Example: “The guests were formally introduced at the reception.”
The introduction followed a recognized social custom.
Formally Meaning in Formal Clothing
It can describe how someone dresses for an occasion.
Example: “Everyone dressed formally for the wedding.”
The guests wore clothing suitable for a formal event.
Formally Meaning in Terms of Structure
In logic, mathematics, and other technical fields, formally can refer to form or structure.
Example: “The argument is formally valid, even if one of its premises is false.”
This means the conclusion follows from the premises according to the argument’s logical structure.
Important: An action being performed formally does not automatically mean it is legally valid or binding.
What Does Formerly Mean?
Formerly is an adverb derived from former, meaning previous or earlier.
It describes something that was true at an earlier time, particularly when a person’s role, an organization’s name, or a place’s purpose has changed.
Formerly Describing a Previous Job
Example: “She formerly worked as a journalist.”
She held that job in the past.
Formerly Describing a Previous Position
Example: “He was formerly the company’s president.”
He previously held the position.
Formerly Describing a Previous Name
Example: “The restaurant was formerly known as The Garden Cafe.”
The restaurant had a different name before.
Formerly Describing an Earlier Use
Example: “The building was formerly a public library.”
The building once served as a library.
Key takeaway: Formerly is especially useful for describing previous identities, occupations, names, and conditions.
Formally vs. Formerly Comparison Chart
Use this chart when deciding which spelling fits your sentence.
| Situation | Correct word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Official announcement | Formally | The company formally announced the merger. |
| Previous occupation | Formerly | She formerly worked as a nurse. |
| Official approval | Formally | The proposal was formally approved. |
| Previous building use | Formerly | The building was formerly a theater. |
| Formal clothing | Formally | The guests dressed formally. |
| Previous business name | Formerly | The company was formerly known as Westbridge. |
| Official recognition | Formally | The organization was formally recognized. |
| Earlier residence | Formerly | The family formerly lived in Boston. |
| Logical structure | Formally | The proof is formally correct. |
| Earlier job title | Formerly | He was formerly the sales director. |
Same Context, Different Meaning
“The CEO was formally introduced.”
The introduction happened in an official or conventional manner.
“The CEO was formerly a teacher.”
The CEO worked as a teacher in the past.
Remember: One word concerns manner; the other concerns time.
How to Pronounce Formally and Formerly
Formally and formerly sound similar, but careful American English pronunciation often distinguishes them.
Both usually have three syllables, with stress on the first.
| Word | American IPA | Easy pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Formally | /ˈfɔr.mə.li/ | FOR-muh-lee |
| Formerly | /ˈfɔr.mɚ.li/ | FOR-mer-lee |
The Key Sound Difference
In formally, the middle syllable usually contains a reduced vowel sound.
In formerly, the middle syllable contains the American English -er sound.
However, pronunciation varies, and the words may sound very similar in rapid speech.
Pronunciation Practice
- “The decision was formally announced.”
- “The director formerly worked in education.”
Pronunciation tip: Say formal and former first. Then add -ly while keeping the difference between the base words.
How to Use Formally in a Sentence
Use formally when describing official actions, recognized procedures, structured analysis, or conventional behavior.
Business and Workplace Examples
- “The company formally announced its expansion.”
- “The manager formally approved the request.”
- “Employees were formally notified of the changes.”
- “The agreement was formally signed.”
- “The board formally adopted the new policy.”
Education and Research Examples
- “The university formally recognized her achievement.”
- “The researcher formally presented the hypothesis.”
- “The committee formally accepted the proposal.”
- “The student formally submitted the application.”
- “The mathematical statement was formally proved.”
Social and Everyday Examples
- “The guests were formally introduced.”
- “Everyone dressed formally for the ceremony.”
- “The ambassador was formally welcomed.”
- “She addressed the audience formally.”
- “The invitation was formally delivered.”
Writing tip: Formally is particularly common with verbs such as announce, approve, recognize, introduce, notify, and adopt.
How to Use Formerly in a Sentence
Use formerly when discussing something that existed, happened regularly, or was true at an earlier time.
Previous Employment
- “She formerly worked as a nurse.”
- “He was formerly the marketing director.”
- “The professor formerly taught at another university.”
- “She was formerly employed by a software company.”
Previous Names
- “The business was formerly known as Green Valley Foods.”
- “The street was formerly called Market Road.”
- “The organization was formerly named Community First.”
- “The hotel was formerly known as The Grand Palace.”
Earlier Uses and Conditions
- “The building was formerly a school.”
- “The warehouse was formerly a factory.”
- “The neighborhood was formerly an industrial area.”
- “The property was formerly owned by the city.”
Previous Locations
- “The family formerly lived in Seattle.”
- “The company was formerly based in Denver.”
- “The restaurant was formerly located downtown.”
Writing tip: In casual conversation, used to may sound more natural than formerly: “She used to work at the bank.”
Formal vs. Former: Understanding the Root Words
The spelling difference becomes much easier when you understand where the words come from.
Formal → Formally
Formal is an adjective that describes something official, conventional, structured, or appropriate for a serious occasion.
Examples:
- “The manager submitted a formal request.”
- “The event required formal clothing.”
- “The organization issued a formal statement.”
Add -ly to create formally.
Example: “The request was formally submitted.”
Former → Formerly
Former is an adjective that describes something or someone from an earlier time.
Examples:
- “She is a former employee.”
- “He is the former president.”
- “They visited their former home.”
Add -ly to create formerly.
Example: “She was formerly the department head.”
| Root adjective | Related adverb | Main idea |
|---|---|---|
| Formal | Formally | Official or conventional manner |
| Former | Formerly | Earlier time or previous condition |
Memory rule: Formal becomes formally. Former becomes formerly.
Formally vs. Formerly in Business Writing
These words often appear in company announcements, professional biographies, contracts, and workplace communication.
Formally in Business
Use formally when discussing an official action or recognized process.
Examples:
- “The board formally approved the annual budget.”
- “The company formally announced its new leadership team.”
- “The employee was formally notified of the decision.”
Formerly in Business
Use formerly to describe a previous position, company name, or organizational arrangement.
Examples:
- “The executive was formerly the finance director.”
- “The company was formerly known as NorthStar Solutions.”
- “The department was formerly part of the operations division.”
Professional Writing Comparison
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The CEO was formally introduced. | The introduction was official. |
| The CEO was formerly a manager. | The CEO previously held that role. |
| The policy was formally adopted. | The organization followed an official process. |
| The company was formerly independent. | The company had a different status earlier. |
Professional tip: If you are writing about what happened officially, consider formally. If you are describing what was true before, use formerly.
Formally vs. Formerly in Academic Writing
Academic writing uses these adverbs to distinguish procedures and structures from historical facts.
Formally in Research
Formally may describe a structured method, logical analysis, or official academic process.
Examples:
- “The hypothesis was formally tested.”
- “The university formally approved the study.”
- “The theory was formally presented at the conference.”
- “The argument was formally valid.”
Formerly in Historical Writing
Formerly is useful when explaining earlier classifications, institutional names, and historical conditions.
Examples:
- “The region was formerly part of a larger territory.”
- “The institution was formerly known as Central College.”
- “The researcher formerly worked in molecular biology.”
- “The area was formerly used for agriculture.”
A Meaningful Contrast
“The university formally changed its name.”
This describes the process of changing the name.
“The university was formerly called Central College.”
This identifies the earlier name.
Academic writing tip: Use formally for method or procedure and formerly for past facts or conditions.
Formally vs. Officially vs. Formerly vs. Previously
These four words can overlap, but they do not always communicate the same idea.
Formally vs. Officially
Formally emphasizes an established manner, convention, procedure, or structure.
Officially emphasizes recognized authority or status.
Compare:
- “The committee formally voted on the proposal.”
- “The results were officially announced.”
An action can be formal without being legally binding, and something can be official without involving an elaborate ceremony.
Formerly vs. Previously
Both words refer to the past, but formerly is particularly natural for previous identities, roles, and conditions.
Previously is more flexible and can refer to a single earlier event.
Compare:
- “She was formerly the director.”
- “She previously emailed the report.”
The second sentence sounds more natural with previously because it refers to an individual past action.
Comparison Table
| Word | Best used for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Formally | Formal manner or procedure | The motion was formally approved. |
| Officially | Authorized or recognized status | The winner was officially announced. |
| Formerly | Previous role or condition | The building was formerly a school. |
| Previously | Earlier event or time | I previously sent the file. |
Key distinction: Formally and officially describe manner or status. Formerly and previously refer to time.
Formerly Known As vs. Formally Known As
The expressions formerly known as and formally known as are often confused.
Both can be grammatically correct, but their meanings differ.
Formerly Known As: Previous Name
Formerly known as means someone or something had a different name in the past.
Examples:
- “The company was formerly known as Sunrise Media.”
- “The venue was formerly known as The Grand Hall.”
- “The artist was formerly known as DJ Nova.”
This is the correct phrase for renamed businesses, organizations, places, and people.
Formally Known As: Formal Designation
Formally known as can mean known by an official or formal designation.
Example:
“The species is formally known as Helianthus annuus.”
In scientific contexts, scientifically known as may be clearer.
Common Spelling Error
❌ “The restaurant was formally known as The Blue Room.”
✅ “The restaurant was formerly known as The Blue Room.”
The corrected version clearly means that the restaurant previously had another name.
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Formerly known as | Had a previous name |
| Formally known as | Known by a formal designation |
Important: Formally known as is not automatically wrong, but it is wrong when the intended meaning is previously named.
Where to Place Formally and Formerly in a Sentence
Both words are adverbs, and their placement affects sentence flow and clarity.
Formally Before the Main Verb
“The committee formally approved the proposal.”
This is a natural and common structure.
Formally After an Auxiliary Verb
“The proposal was formally approved.”
This placement works well in passive sentences.
Formerly Before a Main Verb
“She formerly worked in finance.”
This is grammatical, although used to work may be more conversational.
Formerly After a Form of Be
“He was formerly the director.”
This is a natural way to describe a previous position.
Formerly Before an Adjective or Participle
“The formerly abandoned building is now a museum.”
Here, formerly modifies the past condition of the building.
Natural Sentence Patterns
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Formally + verb | They formally announced the decision. |
| Be + formally + participle | The plan was formally approved. |
| Formerly + main verb | She formerly worked in education. |
| Be + formerly + noun phrase | He was formerly the president. |
| Formerly + participle | The formerly closed store has reopened. |
Writing tip: Keep the adverb close to the action or condition it describes. This makes the intended meaning easier to understand.
Common Formally vs. Formerly Mistakes
These mistakes are especially common in professional writing and online communication.
Mistake 1: Previous Employment
❌ “She formally worked as a teacher.”
✅ “She formerly worked as a teacher.”
Why: The sentence refers to a job held in the past.
Mistake 2: Official Announcement
❌ “The company formerly announced the merger.”
✅ “The company formally announced the merger.”
Why: The intended meaning is an official announcement.
Mistake 3: Previous Building Use
❌ “The building was formally a hospital.”
✅ “The building was formerly a hospital.”
Why: The building previously served as a hospital.
Mistake 4: Official Approval
❌ “The board formerly approved the proposal.”
✅ “The board formally approved the proposal.”
Why: The intended meaning is official approval, not an earlier approval.
Mistake 5: Previous Company Name
❌ “The company was formally known as BrightTech.”
✅ “The company was formerly known as BrightTech.”
Why: BrightTech was the company’s previous name.
Mistake 6: Clothing Style
❌ “Everyone dressed formerly for the event.”
✅ “Everyone dressed formally for the event.”
Why: The sentence describes the manner of dress.
Mistake 7: Earlier Position
❌ “He was formally the department chair.”
✅ “He was formerly the department chair.”
Why: The sentence refers to a previous position.
Editing tip: When unsure, substitute in a formal way or in the past. The version that preserves your intended meaning identifies the correct word.
Easy Memory Tricks for Formally vs. Formerly
These simple associations can help you remember the difference permanently.
🎩 Formally = Formal
Formally contains the adjective formal.
Think about official meetings, formal clothing, and established procedures.
Formal → Formally → Official or proper manner
Example: “The agreement was formally signed.”
⏳ Formerly = Former
Formerly contains the adjective former.
Think about a former employee, former president, or former name.
Former → Formerly → Previous or earlier
Example: “She was formerly the director.”
The How vs. When Test
Ask what the word explains:
- How was the proposal approved? Formally.
- When was she the director? Formerly.
The Replacement Test
Try replacing the word:
- Formally → officially or in a formal way.
- Formerly → previously or in the past.
Memory Sentence
“The formerly private institution was formally recognized as a public university.”
Formerly describes the institution’s previous status.
Formally describes the official recognition process.
Best memory rule: Formally = formal. Formerly = former.
Formally vs. Formerly Practice Quiz
Choose the correct answer for each sentence.
Questions
1. The board ______ approved the new budget.
A. Formally
B. Formerly
2. The building was ______ used as a railway station.
A. Formally
B. Formerly
3. Which sentence correctly describes a previous company name?
A. The company was formally known as SilverTech.
B. The company was formerly known as SilverTech.
4. The guests were ______ introduced to the ambassador.
A. Formally
B. Formerly
5. Which word best completes the sentence?
“I ______ sent you the document yesterday.”
A. Formally
B. Previously
6. Which sentence correctly uses both words?
A. The formally independent organization was formerly recognized.
B. The formerly independent organization was formally recognized.
Answers With Explanations
1. A — Formally: The board followed an official approval process.
2. B — Formerly: The building served as a railway station in the past.
3. B — Formerly known as: The phrase identifies a previous company name.
4. A — Formally: The introduction followed established social conventions.
5. B — Previously: This describes a specific earlier action, making previously more natural.
6. B — Formerly independent; formally recognized: The first word describes a past condition, and the second describes an official action.
Copyable Answer Key: 1-A | 2-B | 3-B | 4-A | 5-B | 6-B
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between formally and formerly?
Formally means in an official, proper, or conventional manner. Formerly means previously or at an earlier time. Both are adverbs, but they describe different ideas.
Is it formally known as or formerly known as?
Use formerly known as when referring to a previous name. Formally known as can refer to an official designation, but it does not mean previously named.
Does formally mean officially?
Formally can mean officially, especially when describing recognized procedures. However, formally may emphasize how something is done, while officially emphasizes recognized authority or status.
Is formerly the same as previously?
Both refer to the past. However, formerly is particularly common for previous roles, names, and conditions. Previously is more flexible and can describe individual earlier events.
Is it formally worked or formerly worked?
Use formerly worked when referring to a previous job. For example, “She formerly worked as a nurse.” In casual English, “She used to work as a nurse” may sound more natural.
Are formally and formerly pronounced the same?
Not necessarily. In careful American English, formally is commonly pronounced FOR-muh-lee, while formerly is pronounced FOR-mer-lee. The difference may be less noticeable in fast speech.
Can formally and formerly appear in the same sentence?
Yes. For example: “The formerly private college was formally recognized as a public institution.” Each adverb has a separate meaning.
What is the easiest way to remember formally vs. formerly?
Connect each adverb to its root word: formal → formally and former → formerly. Remember that formally describes a manner or procedure, while formerly describes an earlier time.
Conclusion
The difference between formally vs. formerly is straightforward once you understand their meanings.
Use formally when describing something done officially, according to established procedures, or in a conventional manner.
Use formerly when describing a previous name, position, location, identity, or condition.
Although these words have similar spellings and pronunciations, they are not interchangeable.
Final memory rule: Formally = in a formal way. Formerly = previously.
Whether you are writing an email, preparing an academic paper, or describing a company’s history, this simple distinction will help you choose the correct word confidently.