Earlier vs Formerly vs Like before vs Previously

Quando usar cada um em inglês, com significado, registro e exemplos.

Earlier

Top 2000 (comum)

Formerly

FormalAcima de 10.000 (menos comum)B2adverb

Like before

Top 3000 (comum)

Previously

Top 2000 (comum)B1adverb
Mais formal: Formerly
 EarlierFormerlyLike beforePreviously
Pronúncia🇬🇧 //ˈɪə.əl.ɪə//🇺🇸 //ˈɪr.li.ər//🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɔːməli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɔːrmərli/"]/🇬🇧 //laɪk bɪˈfɔː//🇺🇸 //laɪk bɪˈfɔr//🇬🇧 /["/ˈpriːviəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpriːviəsli/"]/
SignificadoAntes de agora ou antes de um tempo específicoBefore now or before a specific timeno passado; antes de agorain the past; before nowAs you did in the past.Antes de agora; mais cedo.Before now; earlier.
ExemploI arrived earlier than everyone else.Namibia, formerly known as South West AfricaShe smiled at him, just like before.The building had previously been used as a hotel.
RegistroNeutroFormalNeutroNeutro
Quão comumTop 2000 (comum)Acima de 10.000 (menos comum)Top 3000 (comum)Top 2000 (comum)
Nível CEFR-B2-B1
Classe gramaticaladverbadverb
Colocaçõesearlier today, earlier than expected, earlier this weekformerly a leader, formerly known, formerly usedact like before, feel like before, return like beforepreviously mentioned, previously discussed, previously stated, previously introduced, previously reported
Antônimoslater, aftercurrently, now-subsequently, afterwards
Erros comunsConfused with 'earliest' - 'earlier' compares two times, while 'earliest' refers to the first in a group., Using 'earlier' to refer to future events - it only applies to past events.Confused with 'formally' — 'formerly' relates to the past, while 'formally' relates to official contexts., Omitting it when describing past roles or states, which can lead to ambiguity.Using 'like' incorrectly in formal writing., Confusing with 'similar to before' which implies comparison rather than action., Forgetting to use past tense verbs when referring to a past action.Using 'previous' instead of 'previously' in a sentence., Confusing 'previously' with 'currently' which means now., Misplacing 'previously' in a sentence and changing the meaning.
Notas de usoUse 'mais cedo' para se referir a um tempo antes do que está sendo discutido no momento. É neutro em tom. Evite usá-lo em contextos muito formais onde referências de tempo específicas são necessárias.Use 'earlier' to refer to a time before what is currently being discussed. It is neutral in tone. Avoid using it in highly formal contexts where specific time references are needed.Use 'formerly' para descrever algo que era verdade no passado, mas que não é mais o caso. É mais formal do que dizer 'costumava'. Evite em conversas casuais.Use 'formerly' to describe something that was true in the past but is no longer the case. It is more formal than saying 'used to'. Avoid in casual conversations.Use 'like before' to indicate a return to a previous situation or action. This phrase is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts.Use 'anteriormente' para conectar eventos passados com o presente. É adequado para contextos falados e escritos, mas pode soar muito formal em conversas casuais.Use 'previously' to connect past events with the present. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts but may sound too formal in casual conversations.

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Earlier
Formerly
Like before

Perguntas frequentes: Earlier vs Formerly vs Like before vs Previously

Qual é a diferença entre Earlier, Formerly, Like before e Previously?

Earlier: Before now or before a specific time Formerly: in the past; before now Like before: As you did in the past. Previously: Before now; earlier.

Qual é mais formal: Earlier, Formerly, Like before e Previously?

Formerly é a mais formal entre elas.

Qual é mais avançada: Earlier, Formerly, Like before e Previously?

Formerly é o nível mais alto, em B2, na escala CEFR.

Pode mostrar um exemplo de cada?

Earlier: I arrived earlier than everyone else. Formerly: Namibia, formerly known as South West Africa Like before: She smiled at him, just like before. Previously: The building had previously been used as a hotel.

Posso usar Earlier, Formerly, Like before e Previously de forma intercambiável?

Nem sempre. Earlier, Formerly, Like before e Previously são relacionadas e às vezes se sobrepõem, mas diferem em registro, frequência e uso, então trocar uma pela outra pode mudar o sentido ou o tom. Veja as diferenças acima antes de substituir.

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