Difference between once upon a time, before, in the past, formerly, and some time ago?

Question

Hi, In what contexts do you often use them? Are they used interchangeably?     Is "once upon a time" often used by story book, like "Once upon a time,  there lived a girl named Snowwhite." ................I said to my older son, "Your younger brother is so small. Formerly/ before you were small too, just like him." ............In the past, infant mortality rate was very high. ...............Some time ago, I was a teacher in a school. .........Can you correct them if there is anything wrong?  Thanks

KrisBlueNZ · Accepted Answer

"Once upon a time" is traditionally used at the start of children's stories, yes. It is also occasionally used ironically for humorous effect in relation to anything in the past, for example "Once upon a time, I was young and stupid too". (Not a very good example.)
BEFORE just means at some time in the past. Often it refers to conditions BEFORE a particular EVENT, rather than just generally to the past. For example, "I was a happy man, BEFORE I met your mother" (another poor example, sorry), or "BEFORE the invention of the printing press, books were copied by hand".
"In the past" has its literal meaning. Generally it is used in relation to historical events; for example, it wouldn't be used to refer to last week. "In the past, men lived in caves". Your example is good.
FORMERLY is normally used to describe the previous state of something, before a change occurred. For example, "This building was FORMERLY a hospital" or "He is the FORMER chairman" (in the past he was the chairman; now he isn't).
"Some time ago" is similar to "In the past".
Your examples are all good except the one about the brother. In that case I would say "You USED TO BE small too".

Stephenlearner · Answer

Thanks very much for your explanation and correction. .........I don't want to talk about a historical event, neither do I want to tell a children' story, I only want to talk something personal which happened before now. Which word or phrase is more common?  ..........Like: He used to drink and beat his wife. ...She used to sing in the school band. .....I used to stay up very late. ...They used to watch lots of romance sitcoms. .....He used to be a judge.......If I want to use another word or phrase instead of "used to" in these examples, which one should I choose?

KrisBlueNZ · Answer

In those examples, USED TO is the obvious choice, and it's hard for me to think of alternatives.
"He HAD BEEN a drunk and a wife-beater" - not too bad. Optionally add "BEFORE ..." or "UNTIL ...".
"She WAS a/the singer in the school band" - OK.
"IN THE PAST, I stayed up very late" - not very good; USED TO is the obvious phrase for this example, and the next one.
"He IS a FORMER judge" - not as good as "He USED TO BE a judge" unless you can make the FORMER useful - for example you could say "He is a FORMER lawyer and judge", which is probably better than "He USED TO BE a lawyer, THEN a judge".

Stephenlearner · Answer

Ok, I understand. Thanks

Difference between once upon a time, before, in the past, formerly, and some time ago?

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