a former school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former school" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an educational institution that someone attended in the past or that has since closed or changed its status. Example: "After graduating from college, I often think back to my experiences at a former school where I learned so much."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a building that's been vacant for 11 years — it was a former school building.

The New York Times

He asked Mr. Matthies, a former school superintendent, what position he had held previously.

The New York Times

A former school inspector fluent in English and French, he began practicing Sufism in the 1960s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She was a former school psychologist in nearby Valhalla and an outgoing, engaged parent and volunteer.

The New York Times

By Saturday, coverage of the murder of a former school bus driver was the top story.

The New York Times

He is a former school sports master who, from 1998 through 2007, coached at Bayern.

The New York Times - Sports

Today's parents are not just "helicopter parents," a former school principal complains to Marano.

The New Yorker

JOHANNESBURG -- Uruguay Coach ?car Tab z, a former school teacher, has a keen sense of history.

The New York Times

Ms. Garcia, 38, a former school bus dispatcher, is 5 feet tall.

The New York Times

He is running against John Adams, a Democrat and a former school trustee.

The New York Times

Owens, 40, from Llanelli, is a former school technician and youth worker.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a building, follow "a former school" with details about its current use or historical significance to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "a former school" when referring to a school you once attended. Use "my old school" or "the school I attended" instead to emphasize personal connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former school" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It identifies a building or institution by indicating its past function as a school. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Sports

3%

Lifestyle

2%

Arts

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a former school" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a building that previously functioned as a school. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in contexts such as news reports, encyclopedias, and travel guides. While alternatives like "an old school" or "a previous school" exist, "a former school" is a clear and widely understood way to provide context about a building's past use. When writing, it's important to use this phrase when referring to the building in general, and not when recalling personal experiences in the school.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a previous school

Replaces "former" with "previous", offering a slightly different emphasis on the time aspect.

a past school

Uses "past" as a synonym for "former", highlighting its previous function.

an old school

Uses "old" instead of "former", indicating age or disuse.

a school building that is no longer in use

Expands the description to explicitly state the building's current status.

a one-time school

Emphasizes that the building was a school at one point in the past.

a school of the past

Highlights that the school exists only in the past.

a defunct school

Indicates that the school is no longer operating or existing.

a school that once was

Evokes a sense of nostalgia, indicating the school's historical existence.

a bygone school

Suggests that the school belongs to a past era or is outdated.

a converted school

Focuses on the fact that the school has been transformed into something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "a former school" to describe a building that used to be a school but now serves a different purpose, such as "The community center is located in "a former school" building".

What can I say instead of "a former school"?

Alternatives include "an old school", "a previous school", or "a defunct school", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a school former" instead of "a former school"?

No, the correct phrasing is "a former school". The adjective "former" typically precedes the noun it modifies.

What's the difference between "a former school" and "my old school"?

"A former school" is a general description of a building, while "my old school" refers to a school that the speaker personally attended. The phrase "my old school" carries a personal connection that "a former school" lacks.