a former comrade of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former comrade of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who was previously a colleague or associate, often in a military or political context. Example: "He spoke fondly of his experiences with a former comrade of his during the war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Abdul Malik, a former comrade of Mr. Agha's, said gunmen recently tried to storm his home in the dead of night.

The New York Times

Their beliefs are a mix of "Marxist-Leninist-Guevarist" doctrines with a particularly Paraguayan twist, said Cristóbal Olazar, a former comrade of the EPP's founders.

The Guardian

But at one point I got into an argument with a former comrade of mine (it boiled down to he was jealous that I was going to get out in four years and I had family waiting for me).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In 1974, Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese army intelligence officer, caused a sensation when he was persuaded to come out of hiding by a former comrade on the Philippine island of Lubang.

The Guardian

The killing appears to be linked to Zaher Naibzadah, commander of Herat's 17th Division, and a former comrade in arms of Mr. Khan.

The New York Times

A1 Top German Confronts His Past Joschka Fischer, Germany's foreign minister is planning to testify tomorrow at the trial of a former comrade in leftist agitation who is on trial on charges of involvement in a terrorist raid in 1975.

The New York Times

Singer's protagonist, Morris Krakower, is haunted in the night by the ghost of a former comrade, who publicly attacked others for Trotskyism and then himself "vanished," a victim of Stalin's reign of terror.

The New Yorker

A dozen retired Gurkhas natives of Nepal with an historic dispensation to serve in Britain's army silently saluted a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.Inside the building, an appeal was being heard on behalf of a former comrade who wanted permission to reside in Britain.

The Economist

A former comrade-in-arms of the president, she has since become a bitter political rival.

The Guardian

The defence minister, a former comrade-in-arms of Mr Sharon, had been rattled by weekend polls showing him lagging behind his two more liberal rivals for the Labour Party leadership primary, scheduled for November 19th.

The Economist

He accuses his former comrades of not taking a clear stand on Madhesi rights.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a former comrade of", ensure that the context clearly establishes the nature of their past association, whether it was military, political, or ideological.

Common error

Avoid using "a former comrade of" when a more neutral term like "colleague" or "associate" would be more appropriate, especially if the "comrade" association might carry unwanted political or ideological baggage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former comrade of" acts as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a past relationship characterized by shared experiences or ideologies. It defines the noun as someone who was once a fellow member or participant in a common cause.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

34%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a former comrade of" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a past relationship, typically within a military, political, or ideologically aligned group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not exceptionally common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When choosing this phrase, consider whether the connotation of shared duty and ideology is appropriate or if a more neutral term like "colleague" or "associate" would better suit the context. Given its specificity, it's essential to ensure the audience understands the nature of the past association.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ex-associate of

Replaces "comrade" with a more general term for an associate, indicating a past connection.

a previous ally of

Highlights the past alliance between individuals, emphasizing their former partnership.

a one-time colleague of

Emphasizes the past professional relationship, substituting "comrade" with "colleague".

a former partner of

Focuses on a past partnership, which could be in business or another endeavor.

a past collaborator of

Highlights a previous collaborative effort, replacing "comrade" with a term for someone you worked with.

a fellow veteran of

Specifically relates to military service, replacing "comrade" with a term that evokes shared experiences in the armed forces.

a former member of

Indicates a previous affiliation with a group or organization.

an erstwhile companion of

Replaces "comrade" with a more intimate term, suggesting a former friendship.

a previous co-worker of

Emphasizes a former working relationship, suitable in a professional setting.

a past acquaintance of

Indicates a casual, former relationship, suitable when the connection was not deep.

FAQs

What's the difference between "a former comrade of" and "a former colleague of"?

"A former comrade of" implies a shared sense of duty, often in military or political contexts, while "a former colleague of" refers to a past professional association. The term "a former colleague of" is more neutral.

Can I use "a former comrade of" in a business setting?

While grammatically correct, using "a former comrade of" in a business setting might sound unusual unless the context involves a shared experience that resembles military-like service or strong ideological alignment. Terms like "a former associate of" or "a former colleague of" are generally more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "a former comrade of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a former associate of", "a previous ally of", or "a one-time colleague of". The best choice depends on the specific relationship you're describing.

Is "a former comrade of" formal or informal?

The phrase "a former comrade of" is considered neutral. It is more formal than "buddy", but less formal than some academic or professional titles. Its appropriateness depends heavily on context.