a former associate of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former associate of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who previously worked with or was connected to another person or organization. Example: "She mentioned that she had a former associate of the company who could provide valuable insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A former associate of the Belgian.

The Guardian

(Matt's grandfather was apparently friends with the family of a former associate of Einstein's).

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. D'Amato's Democratic opponent is Mark Green, a former associate of the consumer advocate Ralph Nader.

The New York Times

Previously, a former associate of the firm oversaw the firm's pro bono efforts.

The New York Times

A former associate of O. J. Mayo has told federal and N.C.A.A. investigators that U.S. C

The New York Times

"The modern pharmaceutical industry is only 65 years old," a former associate of Tessa's explains to Justin.

The New York Times - Books

Ms. Dubbeldam, a rising star in the field of interior architecture, is a former associate of Rem Koolhaas.

The New York Times

A former associate of Bannon's in California recalls him as a strategic thinker who was adept at manipulating the media.

The New Yorker

OpenLeaks Splinter site set up by Daniel Domscheit-Berg, a former associate of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were veterans of a 2009 firefight that had killed a former associate of Guzmán's, Arturo Beltrán Leyva, during a raid in Cuernavaca.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

At his sentencing hearing, which began last month, Jermaine "Cowboy" Cohen, a former associate of Mr Coke's, shed new light on his organisation's operations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a former associate of", ensure the context clearly indicates why the past association is relevant to the current discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a former associate of" when the prior association is inconsequential to the topic at hand. Focus on current roles and relationships if the past connection is not pertinent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former associate of" serves as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to specify that an individual previously had a connection or affiliation with another person or entity. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

0.5%

Science

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a former associate of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a past connection between individuals or entities. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. It is commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, making it suitable for neutral to formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the past association is relevant and avoid overstating its significance. Consider alternatives like "ex-colleague of" or "past affiliate of" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-colleague of

Replaces "associate" with "colleague" and "former" with "ex-", implying a professional relationship.

previous coworker of

Uses "coworker" instead of "associate", emphasizing the work aspect of the relationship.

one-time partner of

Substitutes "associate" with "partner" and "former" with "one-time", indicating a more collaborative past.

past affiliate of

Replaces "associate" with "affiliate", suggesting a looser connection.

erstwhile ally of

Uses "ally" instead of "associate", implying a relationship of support.

previous member of

Suggests a past association through membership.

used to work with

A more informal way to express a prior working relationship.

once collaborated with

Focuses on collaborative work done in the past.

formerly connected to

Emphasizes the past connection or link.

had ties with

Suggests a past relationship that may not have been direct.

FAQs

How can I use "a former associate of" in a sentence?

Use "a former associate of" to describe someone who previously had a professional or personal connection with another individual or organization. For example, "The witness was a former associate of the defendant".

What's a more concise way to say "a former associate of"?

Depending on the context, you could use "ex-colleague of", "previous coworker of", or "past affiliate of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "a former associate of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a former associate of" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, choose the most precise term based on the specific relationship, as in "ex-partner of" or "one-time collaborator of".

How does "a former associate of" differ from "a current associate of"?

"A former associate of" indicates a past relationship that no longer exists, while "a current associate of" signifies an ongoing relationship. Using the correct term is crucial for accurately representing the relationship between individuals or entities.