a former official

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former official" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who previously held a position in an official capacity, such as in government or an organization. Example: "According to a statement from a former official, the policy changes will have significant impacts on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is a pipeline process," a former official said.

The Washington Post

The man is a former official of Entergy.

The New York Times

Mr. Stockman is a former official of the Reagan administration.

The New York Times

"They want to break it up," a former official said.

The New Yorker

"The gun has been cocked," a former official said.

The New York Times

"We thought Start was going to be easy, we really did," said a former official.

The New York Times

Mr. Blesa, a former official in Spain's Economics Ministry, became chairman of Caja Madrid in 1996.

The New York Times

A former official in the George W. Bush administration has been asked to mediate.

The New York Times - Arts

"I doubt he is encouraging these attacks in Kashmir," a former official said.

The New Yorker

The director of Imedi is a former official in Mr. Saakashvili's government.

The New York Times

Another alumnus is a former official in the agency that polices direct selling.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a former official", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific role or organization they were previously associated with to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "a former State Department official".

Common error

Avoid using "a former official" in a way that suggests they still hold authority or influence in their previous role. Clarify that their views are based on their past experience, not current involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former official" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that it identifies someone who previously held an official position. For example, "A former official said..."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a former official" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, predominantly found in news and media contexts. It serves to identify an individual by their past role, lending credibility or context to their statements. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and provides numerous real-world examples. While neutral in tone, ensuring clarity about the specific past role is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "ex-official" exist but might alter the formality. The provided guidance aims to improve usage and prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-official

A shorter, slightly less formal way to say "a former official".

previous official

Replaces "former" with "previous", maintaining a similar level of formality.

one-time official

Emphasizes that the person held the position in the past, but not currently.

past officeholder

More formal and emphasizes the holding of an office.

onetime officeholder

A variant of "one-time official", slightly more emphatic.

retired official

Implies the official has retired from their position.

former government employee

More specific, indicating the person worked for the government.

former representative

Indicates someone who used to represent a specific party, group, or area.

former administrator

Specifies that the individual was previously in an administrative role.

former appointee

Emphasizes that the person was appointed to the position.

FAQs

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

Use "a former official" to refer to someone who previously held a position, like in the sentence: "A former official stated that the policy change was expected."

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

"A former official" is generally considered more formal and neutral, while "ex-official" is slightly less formal but carries the same meaning. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

Which is correct, "a former official" or "an official former"?

"A former official" is the correct and standard phrasing. "An official former" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "a former official" to be more specific?

You could use more specific titles like "a former secretary of state", "a former White House advisor", or "a retired general" depending on the individual's previous role.