a former member

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former member" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who used to belong to a group, organization, or team but is no longer a part of it. Example: "She was a former member of the committee, having served for five years before stepping down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is a former member of Parliament.

The New York Times

Want a former member of the House?

The New York Times

I'm a former member of Congress.

The Washington Post

She is a former member, not a current one.

The New York Times

He is a former member, not a current one.

The New York Times

(Romig is a former member of newyorker.com's editorial staff).

The New Yorker

Santos was a former member of the national police force.

The New Yorker

The man partly pictured is a former member.

The New York Times

He was a former member of the Century Association.

The New York Times

There is no such thing as a former member.

The New York Times

Harris O'Malley is a former member of the PUA scene.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a former member", specify the group or organization to which the person belonged for clarity. For example, "a former member of the city council".

Common error

Avoid using "a former member" when referring to someone who is still part of the organization, even if their role has changed. Use "current member" or specify their new role instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former member" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or an appositive. According to Ludwig, it correctly identifies someone's past affiliation with a group or organization. The article "a" indicates that the noun phrase is indefinite.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a former member" is a noun phrase used to describe someone who previously belonged to a group or organization. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "ex-member" or "past member" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. When using the phrase, it's essential to specify the group for clarity and avoid using it for individuals still affiliated, even in different roles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ex-member

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

Past member

Substitutes "former" with "past", emphasizing the temporal aspect of the previous membership.

One-time member

Uses "one-time" to highlight that the membership occurred at a specific point in the past.

Previous member

Replaces "former" with "previous", stressing the sequential aspect of the membership.

Onetime affiliate

Combines "onetime" with "affiliate" to convey a past association that might not have been a formal membership.

Previous affiliate

Substitutes "former" with "previous", and "member" with affiliate, stressing the sequential aspect of the affiliation.

Former participant

Replaces "member" with "participant", suggesting a broader involvement than formal membership.

Prior associate

Uses "prior associate" to imply a past connection that may have been less structured than membership.

Past participant

Combines "past" with "participant" to focus on someone who was involved in the past.

One-time associate

Combines "one-time" with "associate" highlighting past casual affiliation.

FAQs

How do I use "a former member" in a sentence?

Use "a former member" to describe someone who previously belonged to a group or organization. For example, "He is "a former member" of the team who now works as a consultant."

What's the difference between "a former member" and "an ex-member"?

"A former member" and "an ex-member" are largely interchangeable. "Ex-member" is slightly more informal, but both refer to someone who previously belonged to a group.

Can I use "a former member" to describe someone who was briefly involved?

While technically correct, consider using phrases like "past participant" or "prior associate" if their involvement was brief or informal.

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

Yes, "a former member" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure the context is clear and the person's past affiliation is relevant to the discussion.