Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
as per former
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "as per former" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to refer to something mentioned previously, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "As per former discussions, we will proceed with the project timeline."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
This Solution aimed to dismantle the 'people smugglers' business model' as per former Prime Minister Julia Gillard's statement in May 2011 (Maiden, 2011, para. 20).
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
As per the former couple's 2009 divorce settlement, Raymond was granted to live at the 12,000 sq.
News & Media
aAdjusted for age (continuous), smoking status (categorised as never, former, current ≤10 cigarettes per day or >10 cigarettes per day), alcohol intake (never, former, current <2 drinks per week, ≥2 drinks per week), body mass index (quartiles) and educational level (<10 years, 10 12 years, >12 years, other).
bAdjusted for age (continuous), smoking status (categorised as never, former, current ≤10 cigarettes per day or >10 cigarettes per day), alcohol intake (never, former, current <2 drinks per week, ≥2 drinks per week), body mass index (quartiles) and educational level (<10 years, 10 12 years, >12 years, other).
Therefore we found it inappropriate to distinguish between true (A) and false (B) positive cases as the former, per definition, amounts to 100%.
Participants were classified as current smokers if they smoked at least one cigarette per day at the time of the interview, as occasional smokers if they smoked usually less than one cigarette per day, as former smokers if they had smoked regularly or occasionally in the past and as never smokers if they had never smoked or less than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.
Science
A patient was classified as a current smoker if he smoked one or more cigarettes per day and as a former smoker if he had quit smoking for at least 5 years.
Science
Taking advantage of the low prices, many utilities have switched from burning coal to burning natural gas; the latter produces roughly half as much carbon per unit of energy as the former.
News & Media
The amount – around £280m per year – really is "peanuts", as the former finance minister and current president of India, Pranab Mukherjee, described it.
News & Media
Despite the lack of thoroughness, we found that surface wiping was more effective than daily surface decontamination as the former cleaned more surface area per day.
Science
As per usual, he bashed former Florida governor Jeb Bush as "low energy" and in the pocket of lobbyists and targeted Kentucky senator Rand Paul, expressing his hope that debate organizers get "rid of Rand Paul or somebody" in the coming debate at the Reagan Library.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "as per former" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "according to the former" or "as previously stated" to ensure clarity and professionalism.
Common error
A common mistake is to use "as per former" thinking it's a concise way to refer back to a previous item. Instead, recognize that "as per" requires a clear reference point, and "former" needs proper grammatical context. Replacing it with phrases like "according to the former" or "as mentioned earlier" will resolve this.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "as per former" functions as an attempted adverbial phrase intended to modify a verb by indicating a reference to a preceding noun. However, it is grammatically unsound and rarely used, as Ludwig AI points out.
Frequent in
Science
31%
News & Media
31%
Wiki
9%
Less common in
Formal & Business
9%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "as per former" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this, suggesting the phrase is awkward and unclear. While it attempts to link information to a previously mentioned item, clearer alternatives such as "according to the former" or "as previously stated" are more appropriate. Though the contexts where it is found vary, its incorrectness lowers its overall quality. When clarity and grammatical correctness are paramount, steer clear of "as per former".
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
according to the former
Replaces "as per" with "according to", making the phrase grammatically sound while keeping the reference to a previous item.
as indicated previously
Focuses on the time aspect, indicating something was mentioned before, omitting direct reference to an item.
in accordance with the previous
Uses a more formal tone while still alluding to something that came before.
based on the prior
Emphasizes that the current statement relies on something that was established earlier.
as per the preceding
A more formal alternative to "as per former", replacing "former" with "preceding" which is grammatically correct.
following the earlier
Highlights the sequence, suggesting the current action or statement follows a previous one.
referring to the past
Shifts focus to the past nature of the reference, but does not clearly link it to the 'former'.
relating to the earlier
Focuses on the relationship to something previous, without specifying what that 'something' is.
in line with the past
Emphasizes the consistency with something in the past, less about referring to a specific former element.
consistent with the previous
Highlights maintaining agreement with the previous point or action.
FAQs
What does "as per former" mean?
The phrase "as per former" is an attempt to refer to something mentioned previously. However, it is grammatically incorrect and unclear. It is better to use alternatives such as "according to the former" or "as previously stated".
How can I rephrase "as per former" to sound more professional?
To sound more professional, replace "as per former" with phrases like "according to the former" or "as previously stated". These options are grammatically correct and provide clarity.
Is "as per former" grammatically correct?
No, "as per former" is not grammatically correct. The phrase is awkward and unclear. Using alternatives like "according to the former" or "as mentioned earlier" is recommended.
What's the difference between "as per former" and "according to the former"?
"As per former" is grammatically incorrect and not commonly used. "According to the former" is a correct alternative that clearly indicates you are referring back to something or someone previously mentioned. Use "according to the former" for better clarity.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested