Formally vs Formerly: What’s the Difference?

Few word pairs cause as much confusion as formally vs formerly. They look almost identical, sound somewhat similar, and are often mistaken for one another in emails, articles, resumes, and everyday writing. Yet despite their similar appearance, these two adverbs have completely different meanings.

If you’ve ever paused before writing formerly or formally, you’re not alone. The good news is that the distinction is easy once you understand what each word actually means. In this guide, we’ll compare formally vs formerly, explain their definitions, provide plenty of examples, and share simple memory tricks so you’ll never mix them up again.

Formally vs Formerly: The Quick Answer

Here’s the easiest way to remember the difference:

• Formally relates to formality, official actions, or proper manners.
• Formerly relates to time and means previously or in the past.

Examples

• She was formerly the company’s CEO.
• The agreement was formally approved yesterday.

If you’re talking about something that happened in the past, choose formerly. If you’re describing something official, professional, or done according to established rules, choose formally.

What Does Formally Mean?

Formally means:

• In an official or formal manner
• Following rules or established procedures
• In a polite or ceremonial way

It comes from the adjective formal.

Examples of Formally

• The committee formally announced the decision.
• Guests were formally introduced at the dinner.
• The company formally launched its new product.
• She apologized formally in writing.

In each example, the action is official, structured, or follows accepted protocol.

What Does Formerly Mean?

Formerly means:

• Previously
• At an earlier time
• In the past

It comes from the adjective former, which refers to something that existed or occurred earlier.

Examples of Formerly

• He was formerly a teacher.
• The building was formerly a train station.
• The actor was formerly known by another name.
• This restaurant was formerly a bookstore.

Whenever you’re referring to a previous state or past identity, formerly is the correct choice.

Formerly vs Formally: Key Differences

Although the words differ by only one letter, they serve entirely different purposes.

Remember:

• Formally = official
• Formerly = previously

When Should You Use Formally?

Use formally whenever you’re describing something that is:

• Official
• Professional
• Ceremonial
• Done according to rules or procedures

Common Examples

• The contract was formally signed.
• They were formally introduced.
• The president formally accepted the proposal.
• She was formally recognized for her achievements.

When Should You Use Formerly?

Choose formerly when referring to:

• Previous jobs
• Previous names
• Previous ownership
• Earlier conditions
• Historical facts

Common Examples

• He was formerly a lawyer.
• The hotel was formerly a mansion.
• The city was formerly the nation’s capital.
• The company was formerly called Tech Solutions.

Common Mistakes People Make

Because the words look alike, writers often swap them accidentally.

Incorrect

• She was formally known as Sarah Johnson.

Correct

• She was formerly known as Sarah Johnson.

The sentence refers to an earlier identity, not an official action.

Incorrect

• The agreement was formerly approved.

Correct

• The agreement was formally approved.

Approval is an official action, so formally is the correct choice.

Easy Memory Tricks

Simple memory aids can help you remember the difference.

Think “Former = Past”

The word former always refers to something that came before.

So:

Formerly = Previously

Think “Formal = Official”

Anything formal follows rules or official procedures.

So:

Formally = Officially

Quick Test

Ask yourself:

Am I talking about time?

If yes → Formerly

Am I talking about an official action or formal behavior?

If yes → Formally

Side-by-Side Examples

Formally

• The organization formally announced the merger.
• They were formally engaged at the ceremony.
• She formally accepted the award.
• The proposal was formally submitted.

Formerly

• The museum was formerly a courthouse.
• He was formerly employed by NASA.
• The actress was formerly married to a musician.
• This neighborhood was formerly farmland.

Why These Words Are Often Confused

There are several reasons why writers mix up formerly vs formally:

• They differ by only one letter.
• Their pronunciations are similar.
• Both are adverbs ending in -ly.
• Both commonly appear in professional writing.

Understanding their meanings rather than relying on spelling alone is the best way to avoid mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between formally and formerly?

Formally means officially or according to formal procedures. Formerly means previously or in the past.

Which is correct: formerly or formally known as?

The correct phrase is:

Formerly known as

because it refers to a previous name.

Example:

• Twitter was formerly known by the same name before becoming X.

Does formally mean previously?

No.

Formally refers to official actions or formal behavior, not past events.

Does formerly mean officially?

No.

Formerly only refers to something that existed or happened in the past.

How do I remember formally vs formerly?

Use this simple rule:

• Formerly = Former = Past
• Formally = Formal = Official

Can the two words ever be interchangeable?

No.

Although they look similar, formally and formerly have different meanings and cannot replace each other without changing the meaning of a sentence.

Conclusion

Understanding formally vs formerly is easier than it first appears. While the words look similar, they describe completely different ideas. Formally refers to something done officially, professionally, or according to established rules, whereas formerly means previously or at an earlier point in time.

The next time you’re deciding between formerly vs formally, remember this simple distinction: if you’re talking about the past, choose formerly. If you’re describing an official action or formal manner, choose formally. Mastering this commonly confused word pair will make your writing clearer, more accurate, and more professional—whether you’re drafting emails, updating a resume, or creating polished content for work or school.