a former ambassador

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former ambassador" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who previously held the position of ambassador but no longer does. Example: "After years of service, she decided to retire and now works as a consultant, drawing on her experience as a former ambassador."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Gargano is a former ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago.

The New York Times

It is reported to be Martin Indyk, a former ambassador to Israel in the Clinton administration.

The New York Times

Ryan C. Crocker, a former ambassador to Iraq, has been nominated to succeed him.

The New York Times

Otto J. Reich, a former ambassador, will also join Telemundo to talk about Syria.

The New York Times

Mr. Wisner, a former ambassador to Egypt, comes from the old school of nurturing American relationships.

The New York Times

Nabil Fahmy, a former ambassador to the United States, is the new foreign minister.

The Economist

"He's a weakened president," said Vladimir Villegas, a former ambassador in Mr. Chávez's government.

The New York Times

Writer spoke with Robert Goheen and his wifeNhe was a former Ambassador to India.

The New Yorker

Mr. Annenberg, 94, a former ambassador to Britain, created Seventeen magazine and TV Guide.

The New York Times

Mrs. Astor's son, Anthony Marshall, a former ambassador, is scheduled to make a speech.

The New York Times

"The strategic sands have shifted," said Edward P. Djerejian, a former ambassador to Syria.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone who was previously an ambassador, using "a former ambassador" is a clear and concise way to establish their background, providing context for their current activities or opinions.

Common error

Ensure the individual is no longer serving as an ambassador before using the phrase "a former ambassador". If they still hold the position, avoid this descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former ambassador" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies a noun (usually a person's name) by indicating their past role as an ambassador. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in identifying individuals with prior diplomatic service.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a former ambassador" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone who previously held the position of ambassador. According to Ludwig, the phrase primarily functions to provide context and background about an individual, particularly in news and media. While suitable for various contexts, it's essential to ensure the individual no longer serves as an ambassador when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "ex-ambassador" or "past ambassador" exist, but the original phrasing remains widely accepted and understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-ambassador

Replaces "former" with "ex-", a shorter, more informal prefix indicating a previous role.

previous ambassador

Employs "previous" as a synonym for "former", highlighting the sequential nature of the role.

past ambassador

Uses "past" instead of "former", offering a slightly different word choice while retaining the same meaning.

one-time ambassador

Substitutes "former" with "one-time", emphasizing that the person held the ambassador position at a certain point.

onetime envoy

Replaces both "former" and "ambassador" with synonyms, maintaining the core meaning.

retired ambassador

Specifies that the ambassador left the position due to retirement.

outgone ambassador

Uses "outgone", implying the ambassador has recently left their post.

former diplomat

Broader term encompassing various diplomatic roles, including ambassador.

ambassador emeritus

Indicates an honorary title given to a retired ambassador.

late ambassador

Uses "late" indicating that the ambassador is deceased.

FAQs

How do you properly use "a former ambassador" in a sentence?

Use "a former ambassador" to describe someone who previously held the position of ambassador. For example, "A former ambassador spoke at the conference."

What is a synonym for "a former ambassador"?

Synonyms include "ex-ambassador", "past ambassador", or "previous ambassador". The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

When should I not use the term "a former ambassador"?

Avoid using "a former ambassador" if the person is still currently serving as an ambassador. In that case, simply refer to them as "the ambassador".

What's the difference between "a former ambassador" and "ambassador emeritus"?

"A former ambassador" is a general term for someone who previously held the position. "Ambassador emeritus" is an honorary title granted to a retired ambassador, acknowledging their distinguished service.