a former classmate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former classmate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who was in the same class as you in the past but is no longer in that class. Example: "I ran into a former classmate at the reunion, and we reminisced about our school days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She found that Mary, the maid, was a former classmate.

The New Yorker

"He's been bad since Day 1," a former classmate said.

The New York Times

Kristine Linde (Caroline Martin), a former classmate, comes to call.

The New Yorker

The role was played here by Chen Li, a former classmate of Qian Yi's.

The New York Times - Arts

He wore a Steelers cap and told stories of McCarthy, a former classmate and basketball teammate.

The New York Times - Sports

He loved women, recalled a former classmate, and "could drink anyone under the table".

The New York Times

James Wesley Harris, a former classmate at Creighton University, finally changed things for me.

The New Yorker

In the fall of 2007, he married a former classmate at Stanford.

The New Yorker

Rabbi Sara Y. Sapadin, a former classmate of the bride, is to officiate.

The New York Times

I got a call from a former classmate who's now working at a firm.

The New York Times

Nash was "handsome as a god", a former classmate told Nasar, but deeply unusual.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "former classmate", provide context such as the school or year if relevant, to enhance clarity and understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "former classmate" when a more specific term like "high school classmate" or "college classmate" would provide better context and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former classmate" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a determiner and noun that identifies someone who was in the same class as the speaker at some point in the past. Ludwig indicates its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a former classmate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and appropriate use across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to identify individuals through their shared past educational experiences. While similar phrases like "a former schoolmate" exist, "a former classmate" specifically emphasizes the shared class experience. When using this phrase, ensure context is provided for clarity, and avoid overgeneralization by specifying the level of schooling if relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A former schoolmate

Synonymous and interchangeable; emphasizes shared school attendance rather than just class.

A past classmate

Uses "past" instead of "former", indicating a classmate from the past.

A previous classmate

Uses "previous" instead of "former", indicating a classmate from a prior class.

An old classmate

Replaces "former" with "old", suggesting a long time has passed since they were classmates.

A one-time schoolmate

Similar to "a one-time classmate", emphasizing a shared school experience.

A one-time classmate

Emphasizes that the person was a classmate at one point in time.

An earlier classmate

Indicates that the classmate was from an earlier time or class.

Someone I used to go to class with

More descriptive and informal; clarifies the relationship.

Someone from my graduating class

More specific, indicating someone from the same graduating year.

A fellow student from years ago

General phrase emphasizing the shared experience of being students together.

FAQs

How can I use "a former classmate" in a sentence?

You can use "a former classmate" to refer to someone who was in the same class as you in the past. For example, "I ran into "a former classmate" at the grocery store."

What is another way to say "a former classmate"?

Alternatives include "a former schoolmate", "a past classmate", or "an old classmate".

Is there a difference between "a former classmate" and "a former schoolmate"?

While similar, ""a former classmate"" specifically refers to someone who was in the same class, whereas ""a former schoolmate"" is a more general term for someone who attended the same school.

How can I find "a former classmate"?

You can try searching online alumni directories or social media platforms. Some schools also offer alumni networking services.