My previous husband

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My previous husband" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a former spouse in a context where the speaker is discussing their past relationships. Example: "After my divorce, I learned a lot about myself and my needs, especially in comparison to my previous husband."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

My previous husband was a man who would do anything to avoid conflict.

The New York Times

"With my previous husband, I had the big house, the dishwasher, the works.

The New Yorker

"Actually my previous husband, whom I left for Maurizio, was even richer, so it was all nonsense".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, the problems with my previous husbands paled in comparison with my fourth – Peter Holm, a fading Swedish pop singer, who was a mixture of obdurate dullard and calculating sociopath.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her previous husband was six feet tall.

The New York Times

Celinda's previous husband also died in El Salvador.

The Washington Post

"The whole tie-in with her husband and previous husband is wickedly unusual".

The New York Times

In each case she had married the man named as co-respondent by the previous husband.

The New Yorker

Her daughter by a previous husband is a sweet 13-year-old schoolgirl by day, a nymphet by night.

The New York Times

The relatives said that Mrs. Kiareldeen's previous husband had also been deported, apparently on information she provided.

The New York Times

Also a moment before, when she was at the grave of her previous husband, asking for his blessing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "my previous husband", ensure the context clearly indicates why you are referring to a past relationship. This helps avoid confusion and provides necessary background information.

Common error

Avoid using "my previous husband" when you mean "my late husband". "Previous" indicates a divorced or ended marriage, while "late" indicates a deceased husband.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My previous husband" functions as a noun phrase acting as a possessive determiner, indicating a past marital relationship. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "My previous husband" is grammatically correct, although less common than alternatives like "my former husband" or "my ex-husband". Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It functions as a possessive determiner, primarily used in news and media to refer to a former spouse. When using this phrase, be sure to specify its usage to avoid ambiguity, especially when compared to "my late husband", which indicates a deceased spouse. More common synonyms are "my former husband" or "my ex-husband".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My former husband

Uses the word 'former' instead of 'previous', indicating a past marital relationship.

My ex-husband

Replaces 'previous' with 'ex', a more common and concise term for a former spouse.

My husband from a prior marriage

Specifies the 'previous' husband as being from a 'prior marriage'.

The man I was once married to

Uses a descriptive phrase instead of direct terms like 'previous' or 'ex'.

My first husband

Specifies this was the woman's first marriage.

The man I divorced

Highlights the legal end of the marriage.

The person I used to be married to

Emphasizes the past nature of the marriage with more descriptive phrasing.

My spouse from a past relationship

Uses a broader term 'spouse' and 'past relationship' to refer to the former husband.

The father of my children from my first marriage

Focuses on the role of the former husband as the father of the speaker's children from a specific marriage.

The other half of my failed marriage

Focuses on the failed nature of the marriage.

FAQs

What is another way to say "My previous husband"?

Alternatives include "My former husband", "My ex-husband", or "The man I was once married to".

Is it correct to say "My previous husband"?

Yes, "My previous husband" is grammatically correct and understandable, although phrases like "My ex-husband" or "My former husband" are more common.

When should I use "My previous husband"?

Use "My previous husband" when you need to refer to a former spouse in a context where you want to emphasize that there may have been multiple marriages or relationships.

What's the difference between "My previous husband" and "My late husband"?

"My previous husband" refers to a husband from whom you are divorced or separated. "My late husband" refers to a husband who has died. They are not interchangeable.