What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
erst
Example
She was erst a famous actress before she retired. [erst: adverb]
Example
Erstwhile friends, they had grown apart over the years. [erstwhile: adjective]
formerly
Example
The city was formerly known as New Amsterdam. [formerly: adverb]
Example
He was formerly the CEO of the company before he resigned. [formerly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Formerly is more commonly used than erst in everyday language. Formerly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while erst is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between erst and formerly?
Erst is typically associated with a more formal tone, while formerly can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
