a former student

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former student" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "She is a former student of this university who now works as a successful lawyer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a former student of hers, Allyce Wood.

The New York Times - Arts

"He did not seem happy," a former student says.

The New Yorker

On Facebook, a former student, Stanislav Zavlajov, voiced his shock.

The New York Times

'It was a fairly open culture,' says a former student.

The Guardian

The accident killed 11 students and a former student.

The New York Times

As class ended, I saw a former student.

The New York Times - Magazine

Bech encounters Wendell Morrison, a former student of his.

The New Yorker

Anagnos chose Anne Mansfield Sullivan, a former student at Perkins.

The New Yorker

In 1995, he married Shelley LeWinter Zifferblatt, a former student.

The New York Times

However, quoting a former student, "It is a bit like learning to fly a Jumbo Jet.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

He is a former student of Patrick Suppes.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying "a former student", provide context about their current role or relationship to the subject, for example, "a former student, now a renowned professor".

Common error

Do not use the phrase "a former student" without providing sufficient information to identify the person or their connection to the context. Ensure clarity to avoid confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former student" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It identifies an individual who was previously enrolled in an educational institution or taught by a specific person. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a former student" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe someone who previously attended an educational institution or was taught by a specific individual. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage across diverse sources, including news, academic articles, and scientific publications. While "alumnus" or "alumna" are more formal alternatives when referring to graduates, "a former student" is a versatile and widely understood term suitable for various contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by providing additional information about the individual and their relevance to the subject at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous student

Simple synonym using "previous" instead of "former".

earlier student

Uses "earlier" to indicate past enrollment.

one-time student

Emphasizes the past nature of the student status.

ex-student

Shortened, less formal version using the prefix "ex-".

student from the past

Rephrases to highlight the temporal aspect.

alumnus

Formal term for a male graduate or former student.

alumna

Formal term for a female graduate or former student.

graduate

Someone who has completed a course of study.

student of yesteryear

More evocative, literary way to say "former student".

past pupil

British English term for a former student.

FAQs

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

You can use "a former student" to refer to someone who previously attended an institution or was taught by a particular person. For example, "The professor was proud to see "a former student" succeed in their career".

What's the difference between "a former student" and "an alumnus"?

"An alumnus" specifically refers to a graduate of a school, college, or university. "A former student" is a broader term that includes anyone who attended an institution, regardless of whether they graduated.

Which is more formal, "a former student" or "an alumnus"?

"An alumnus" is generally considered more formal than "a former student". The latter is a more neutral and widely applicable term.

What are some alternatives to saying "a former student"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "graduate", "past pupil", or "previous student".