a former servant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former servant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who previously held the position of a servant but no longer does. Example: "The estate was once home to a former servant who had many stories to tell about the family that lived there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

She mimicked the voice of a former servant who had come to visit her.

The Guardian - Opinion

A former servant tells Bailey that at the time of the duke's death, "a culture of secrecy pervaded the castle".

The Guardian - Books

Her character is a former servant in an affluent late-19th-century household, making a confession decades later.

The New York Times

He was the third of fifteen children born to a former servant girl and a rural Baptist schoolteacher who also worked as a sharecropper and a judge.

The New Yorker

Retiring to a bitter isolation, Timon rails against all humanity and refuses every sort of consolation, even that of well-meant companionship and sympathy from a former servant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An unspoken love surfaces in the story of Rosanna Spearman, a former servant within the Verinder household who nursed a hidden affection for Franklin.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Mr. Hellman lived with 49 boys in the Cedars, a former servants' quarters on the Baron James de Rothschild estate.

The New York Times

His 2002 novel The Polished Hoe, written as the murder confession of Mary-Mathilda, a West Indian former servant and lover of a plantation manager, won the 2002 Scotiabank Giller Prize, the 2003 Commonwealth Writers Prize, and the 2003 Trillium Book Award.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Myrkul reveals that the spirit-eater "curse" originated as a punishment for his former servant, Akachi "The Betrayer", who once led a crusade against the realm of the dead.

Wikipedia

One has a balcony; so does the former servant's quarters.

The New York Times

She's a former civil servant.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a former servant", ensure the context clarifies the time frame and relevance of their past role to the current narrative or situation.

Common error

Avoid implying that "a former servant" still holds the same status or owes the same obligations as when they were actively employed. Clearly distinguish between their past and present circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former servant" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes an individual who previously held the position of a servant. This is evident in the provided examples, where it identifies a person's past occupation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a former servant" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes someone who previously worked as a servant. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Encyclopedia contexts, and its usage is generally neutral. While related terms like ""an ex-servant"" or ""a previous servant"" can be used, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates the relevance of their past role and avoids implying current obligations based on past service.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ex-servant

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

a previous servant

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

a one-time servant

Uses "one-time" to indicate that the person was a servant in the past.

a past employee in service

Rephrases the concept using "employee in service" to specify the type of employment.

someone formerly employed as a servant

Expands the phrase to a clause, clarifying the past employment.

an individual who once served

Uses "served" to imply the role of a servant, focusing on the action.

a person who used to be a servant

More verbose, but clearly indicates a past occupation.

a retired servant

Indicates the servant has retired from their duties.

a prior domestic worker

Uses "domestic worker" as a synonym for servant, specifying the type of work.

a sometime domestic

A less common but still understandable way to describe a previous servant.

FAQs

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

You can use "a former servant" to describe someone who previously worked as a servant, as in, "The information came from "a former servant" of the estate".

What's a more concise way to say "a former servant"?

Alternatives include "an ex-servant" or "a previous servant". They both convey the same meaning with fewer words.

Is it appropriate to use the term "a former servant" in formal writing?

Yes, "a former servant" is appropriate in formal writing as long as it's relevant to the context. It's a neutral and descriptive term.

What's the difference between "a former servant" and "a retired servant"?

"A former servant" simply means someone who used to be a servant. "A retired servant" specifically implies they are no longer working due to retirement.