“She was formally the CEO before resigning.”
Confusables Entry 1040 / 1350 60-second read
Formally vs. Formerly
In a formal manner versus previously.
The comparisoni
“She was formerly the CEO before resigning.”
The ruleii
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FORMALLY = in a formal way. FORMERLY = before.
FORMALLY is the adverb of FORMAL (with ceremony). FORMERLY is the adverb of FORMER (earlier, previously). One letter, two meanings.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
FormerLY = before. FormalLY = with ceremony.