a former service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a service that was previously provided or offered but is no longer active or available. Example: "After years of dedication, she decided to leave a former service to pursue new opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr. Shepherd said that the injured man was a former service member named Scott Olsen.

The New York Times

As a former service member, I have often wondered: Is it too much to ask them to contribute a small percentage of their money to their own retirement?

The New York Times

I met a former service member who worked for NASA before a crack addiction led to theft, a prison sentence and homelessness.

The New York Times

But the finest example of the sort of atmosphere I found at Craig's in Memphis proper was at the much-celebrated Payne's, in a former service station across the street from a tire shop called L'il Gipson (or L'ill Gipson, depending on which sign you believe).

The New York Times - Travel

But in 1991, the Defense Department adopted an internal policy that automatically cuts a former service member's separation pay in half if the service member is discharged because of 'homosexuality.'" The suit, filed last year, argues the policy is discriminatory and unconstitutional.

The New York Times

It is meant to very strongly signal the requirement to uphold agreements that a former service member has made".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Art's Auto is a historic former service station at 5 7 Lonsdale Avenue in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Wikipedia

Therefore, the organization can assign a high security level to the former service, and a low level to the latter.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

In interviews, nearly a dozen current and former service members who said they were sexually assaulted in the military described fearing that they would be punished, ignored or ridiculed if they reported the attacks.

The New York Times

A Pentagon spokeswoman, Eileen Lainez, said former service members discharged under the policy can consult a recruiter about rejoining the armed forces once "don't ask, don't tell" is officially lifted.

The New York Times

But he is a hawk on security and foreign policy, positions which cohere with his former service as an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserve, during which he served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Haiti.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a former service", ensure the context clearly indicates what the service was and why it is no longer active. This avoids ambiguity and provides relevant information to the reader.

Common error

Avoid assuming that your audience knows the specific service you're referring to. Even if it seems obvious to you, briefly clarify the nature of the "former service" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former service" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a service that existed in the past but is no longer operational. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a former service" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a service that is no longer active. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid and provides a clear way to reference past functionalities. While its frequency is uncommon, the phrase appears in diverse contexts such as news, wikis, and scientific publications. When using "a former service", ensure clarity by specifying the type of service you're referring to. Consider alternatives like "a previous service" or "a discontinued service" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a past service

Replaces "former" with "past", emphasizing the time aspect of the service being discontinued.

a previous service

Substitutes "former" with "previous", highlighting that the service existed before the current one or situation.

a prior service

Uses "prior" instead of "former", indicating a service that came before another in time or sequence.

a discontinued service

Replaces "former" with "discontinued", directly stating that the service is no longer offered.

a defunct service

Uses "defunct" to describe the service, implying that it is no longer functioning or in operation.

an earlier service

Emphasizes the temporal aspect, indicating the service existed at an earlier time.

a bygone service

Employs "bygone" to suggest the service belongs to a past era or time.

a lapsed service

Indicates the service has ended or expired, often due to inactivity or non-renewal.

a terminated service

Uses "terminated" to denote a service that has been officially ended or discontinued.

an old service

Simply uses "old" to describe the service, implying it is no longer current or active.

FAQs

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

You can use "a former service" to describe something that used to be offered but isn't anymore. For example, "The building now houses apartments, but it was "a former service" station."

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

Alternatives include "a previous service", "a past service", or "a discontinued service", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what the "former service" was?

While not always mandatory, specifying the service is often helpful for clarity. If the context makes it obvious, it may be omitted, but providing the detail usually enhances understanding.

Which is correct, "a former service" or "an old service"?

"A former service" and "an old service" can both be correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Former" emphasizes that the service is no longer active, while "old" simply suggests that it existed for a long time. Use "a former service" if you need to highlight that the service is discontinued.