according to former

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "according to former" is not correct as it is incomplete and lacks context.
It can be used when referencing a previous individual or entity, but it should be followed by a noun or title to clarify who or what is being referred to. Example: "According to former President Obama, climate change is a pressing issue."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some defected, according to former agents, but many were killed.

The New York Times

Ms. Drew also enjoyed the confidence of her subordinates, according to former employees.

The New York Times

The board, according to former employees, signed off on the European bet multiple times.

The New York Times

The US is underestimating the threat posed by Isis, according to former top intelligence official.

Independent

The practice was known as "ratings arbitrage," according to former workers.

The New York Times

She eventually withheld agreement for nearly a year, according to former East and West Wing advisers.

The New York Times

Chelsea should be 'absolutely desperate' to keep Eden Hazard, according to former defender Graeme Le Saux.

Independent

Inside the firm, the two men exhibited different styles, according to former employees.

The New York Times

According to former Venezuelan officials, Hugo Chávez introduced Ahmadinejad to leaders throughout Latin America.

The New Yorker

But the agency was riven with in-fighting, according to former members.

Independent

Hundreds died there, according to former officials who were in office at the time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always specify the role or title of the "former" individual (e.g., "according to former President Obama") to provide context and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "according to former" without specifying who the "former" person is. This omission creates ambiguity and weakens the statement's credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, though frequently used, is incomplete. To be grammatically sound, "according to former" must be followed by a noun specifying the person's past role or title. Ludwig AI highlights that this omission renders the phrase structurally deficient.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "according to former" is frequently used across various sources, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. However, Ludwig AI points out its grammatical incompleteness when not followed by a noun specifying the role or title of the person being referenced. To ensure clarity and credibility, always specify the position or title of the "former" individual (e.g., "according to former President Obama"). Common alternatives include phrases like "as stated by a former" or "based on statements from a former". Remember, the phrase's primary function is to attribute information to someone with past expertise, so complete attributions are crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to a previous

Uses "previous" instead of "former" to indicate a past holder of a position or role.

as stated by a former

Replaces "according to" with "as stated by", offering a more direct attribution of the information.

relying on information from a former

Emphasizes the reliance on the information provided by the individual, stressing its importance.

based on statements from a former

Emphasizes that the information is derived from statements made by someone who previously held a position.

as per a past

Uses "as per" to introduce the source of information, adding a slightly formal tone.

in the words of a former

Highlights the exact phrasing used by the individual, adding a personal touch to the attribution.

drawing from insights of a former

Highlights that the information is gleaned from the expertise and knowledge of someone in a past role.

citing a past

Simply indicates the act of citing information provided previously.

quoting a former

Focuses on directly quoting the individual, which may include citing a specific document or interview.

attributing to a one-time

Uses "one-time" to emphasize that the individual is no longer in the specified role or position.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "according to former" in a sentence?

Always follow "according to former" with the title or role of the person you're referencing. For example, "according to former CEO John Smith" is correct, while "according to former" is incomplete.

What can I say instead of "according to former" to attribute information?

You can use alternatives like "as stated by a former", "based on statements from a former", or "in the words of a former", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "according to former president" or "according to the former president"?

"According to the former president" is generally more grammatically sound because it uses the article "the" to specify a particular former president. "According to former president" can also be used, especially in headlines or less formal contexts.

What's the difference between "according to former" and "according to current"?

"According to former" refers to someone who previously held a position or role, while "according to current" refers to someone presently holding a position or role. The key difference is the time frame of their involvement.