a former client

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former client" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who has previously engaged your services or business but is no longer a client. Example: "I reached out to a former client to see if they needed any additional support with their project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On his desk is a leather nameplate carved by a former client named Leo Jenkins, who was executed in 1996.

The New Yorker

"He's a former client at this point," Brockler said.

The Washington Post

The Yankees, a former client of University Sports, formed Playmakers in 2007.

The New York Times

A former client at AlliedSignal had invited my team to pitch their business.

The Guardian - Opinion

Was it possible that a former client or defendant was taking revenge on Andrew Chubb?

The Guardian

"Everyone gets their due," a former client writes of an embezzling accountant.

The New York Times

The move also made Petr Nedved of the Rangers a former client of Barnett.

The New York Times - Sports

Annie Crook, a former prostitute, has shacked up with a former client, Albert.

The Guardian - Film

"It was a call typical of any lawyer to a former client," she said.

The New York Times

Dean gives me the number of a former client, a cafe manager from the New Forest called Emma Bulman.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She was picked up by a former client in a Rolls-Royce and rushed to the BBC Newsnight studio.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to "a former client", ensure you maintain confidentiality and adhere to any non-disclosure agreements.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the period or context of the past client relationship, especially if there's potential for confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former client" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a determiner and noun combination. It identifies someone who was previously a client but is no longer one. Ludwig shows various examples across news and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a former client" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to someone who was previously a client. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is widespread across news, business, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to maintain confidentiality and be mindful of the specific context. While "a previous client" and "a past client" are viable alternatives, "a former client" presents a neutral and professional tone suitable for diverse communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a previous client

Replaces "former" with "previous", indicating a client from an earlier time.

a past client

Uses "past" instead of "former", suggesting a client relationship that has ended.

a prior client

Substitutes "former" with "prior", indicating a client from an earlier period.

an ex-client

Employs "ex-" as a prefix, a more informal way to indicate a previous client.

a one-time client

Highlights that the client relationship occurred only once.

a lapsed client

Suggests the client relationship has ended due to inactivity or termination.

someone who used to be a client

Rephrases to emphasize the past status of the client relationship.

a departed client

Implies the client is no longer associated, possibly more formal.

a previous customer

Wider term replacing client with customer, can work outside formal settings.

an old client

Indicates the client relationship existed a long time ago.

FAQs

What's the difference between "a former client" and "a past client"?

The terms "a former client" and "a past client" are largely interchangeable, both indicating someone who was previously a client but no longer is. The subtle difference lies in the connotation; "former" is often perceived as slightly more formal.

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

You can use "a former client" to describe someone who previously received services from you or your company. For example: "I contacted "a previous client" to get feedback on our new product."

What is a more informal way to say "a former client"?

A more informal way to say "a former client" is "an ex-client". This option is suitable for casual conversations or less formal writing.

Is it appropriate to contact "a former client" for a testimonial?

Yes, it is often appropriate to contact "a former client" for a testimonial, provided you maintain professionalism and respect their privacy. Always ask for their consent before using their name or specific details.