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in former times vs in former time

The correct phrase is 'in former times.' 'Times' should be used in the plural form to indicate a period in the past. 'In former time' is not correct in this context.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 613 views

in former times

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a period in the past.

Use 'in former times' to refer to a period in the past, indicating that something happened or existed in the past.

Examples:

  • In former times, people used to travel long distances on foot.
  • In former times, communication was much slower than it is today.
  • In former times people thought that the very last thing you saw in life would remain imprinted in your eyes as if it was a photograph.
  • Mr President, in former times, countries were preponderantly rural and cities were the exception.
  • It was like this in former times in my own country too.
  • In former times when we were still an economic community, we never really thought about it in this way.
  • The direct information which in former times was linked to the person who sold the food, the person who produced the food, disappears.
  • Fraud and deceit abound in these days more than in former times.
  • He returned to his home, and the kettle on the hearth whistled more musically than in former times, in the quiet days before the unexpected party.
  • Finally, while on the subject of Chile, as a citizen of Catalonia, I must acknowledge Chile's reception in former times of Catalan exiles fleeing the Franco dictatorship.
  • These anniversaries shed a very unflattering light on those who, in former times, kept quiet about oppression or did business with those who inflicted it.
  • On the contrary, how can anyone fail to see that unrestricted free trade produces a destructive effect, a point that was noted in former times by Karl Marx, who incidentally was a supporter of it for that reason.
  • In former times, other clans would have gladly taken in any ronin who'd earned a name for himself.
  • In former times, other clans would have gladly taken in any ronin who'd earned a name for himself.
  • The rulers of Venice in former times succeeded in creating a virtually unique model of development.
  • Give me the transports of former times in your embraces! Let me know and then suppress the suffering of our parting with a real and passionate embrace!
  • Madam President, first of all I should like to make it clear that the European Union was the first and last to give help to the countries of the former Yugoslavia in their time of need.
  • You know him from former times? - Unfortunately I do.
  • - You know him from former times? - Unfortunately I do.
  • The bureaucracy and costs of monitoring grow at a tremendous rate whilst the effect of the measures diminishes and a return to the confidence of former times becomes less likely.
  • But Mobutu never understood this, and now, to our disillusionment, we note that Mr Kabila has not really understood this either, and that he is not taking up the opportunities to work together with positive opposition powers of former times.
  • Currently this is not done effectively, as assets often remain unfrozen until criminal investigation is in an advanced stage which gives the former dictators time to move the money away.

Alternatives:

  • in the past
  • in earlier times
  • in bygone days
  • in days gone by
  • in days of yore

in former time

This phrase is not correct in this context. 'Time' should be used in the plural form to indicate a period in the past.

  • Fraud and deceit abound in these days more than in former times.
  • It was like this in former times in my own country too.
  • In former times people thought that the very last thing you saw in life would remain imprinted in your eyes as if it was a photograph.
  • In former times, other clans would have gladly taken in any ronin who'd earned a name for himself.
  • The rulers of Venice in former times succeeded in creating a virtually unique model of development.
  • In former times, other clans would have gladly taken in any ronin who'd earned a name for himself.
  • In former times when we were still an economic community, we never really thought about it in this way.
  • He returned to his home, and the kettle on the hearth whistled more musically than in former times, in the quiet days before the unexpected party.
  • Mr President, in former times, countries were preponderantly rural and cities were the exception.
  • Finally, while on the subject of Chile, as a citizen of Catalonia, I must acknowledge Chile's reception in former times of Catalan exiles fleeing the Franco dictatorship.
  • These anniversaries shed a very unflattering light on those who, in former times, kept quiet about oppression or did business with those who inflicted it.
  • The direct information which in former times was linked to the person who sold the food, the person who produced the food, disappears.
  • On the contrary, how can anyone fail to see that unrestricted free trade produces a destructive effect, a point that was noted in former times by Karl Marx, who incidentally was a supporter of it for that reason.
  • Give me the transports of former times in your embraces! Let me know and then suppress the suffering of our parting with a real and passionate embrace!
  • Madam President, first of all I should like to make it clear that the European Union was the first and last to give help to the countries of the former Yugoslavia in their time of need.
  • You know him from former times? - Unfortunately I do.
  • - You know him from former times? - Unfortunately I do.
  • The bureaucracy and costs of monitoring grow at a tremendous rate whilst the effect of the measures diminishes and a return to the confidence of former times becomes less likely.
  • But Mobutu never understood this, and now, to our disillusionment, we note that Mr Kabila has not really understood this either, and that he is not taking up the opportunities to work together with positive opposition powers of former times.
  • Currently this is not done effectively, as assets often remain unfrozen until criminal investigation is in an advanced stage which gives the former dictators time to move the money away.

Related Comparisons

in current times vs in the current times in recent times vs in recent time in early times vs at former times in old days vs in old times at current times vs in current times

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