formerly
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formerly
Refers to an earlier state or an earlier function; formerly, previously. It is often used in formal or written contexts.
Das Gebäude, vormals eine Fabrik, ist heute ein modernes Museum.
The building, formerly a factory, is now a modern museum.
The word is made up of the preposition 'vor' (before) and the ending '-mals', which often forms a time expression, as in 'damals' (back then). So it literally means 'in the time before'.
Die vormals eigenständige Gemeinde gehört heute zur Stadt.
The formerly independent municipality is now part of the city.
'Vormals' (formerly) belongs to written language and is perceived as formal or elevated. You often find it in official, historical, or legal texts.
Der Angeklagte war vormals nicht vorbestraft.
The defendant had formerly not had any prior convictions.
As an adverb, 'vormals' (formerly) can stand in different places in the sentence. It often stands in position 1, followed by the verb. But it can also stand after the verb.
Vormals stand hier eine alte Mühle.
Formerly, an old mill stood here.
formerly
Ehemals and vormals both refer to an earlier state or function. Ehemals can be used generally, while vormals is found especially in formal or written texts. Both are possible when referring to former offices or roles, but vormals sounds more formal.
Im offiziellen Bericht wird Frau Klein als vormals zuständige Leiterin der Abteilung genannt.
In the official report, Ms. Klein is identified as the formerly responsible head of the department.
Im Gespräch erwähnt Frau Klein, dass sie ehemals Leiterin der Abteilung war.
In the conversation, Ms. Klein mentions that she was formerly the head of the department.
