back in the former

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back in the former" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear what context or meaning is intended, making it difficult to determine when it could be used. Example: "I remember the days back in the former times when things were simpler."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Geordan at 100% is very, very good so he'll come back in". The former Ireland international, who has played 305 times and scored 657 points for Tigers, has been replaced by countryman Niall Morris and New Zealander Scott Hamilton during his enforced absence.

BBC

Independent, last year's much-lauded upstart of an art fair, is back in the former Dia Center building on West 22nd Street in Chelsea.

The New York Times - Arts

Trips to the St. Andrew's course were curtailed last week because of finals, so the team was back in the former squash court.

The New York Times

They listened to the power ballads of the pop singer Ute Freudenberg, who defected to West Germany in 1984 but is now back in the former East.

The New York Times - Sports

Never does the noon-day glare intrude, and when we come to the leaves from the early-16th-century Shahnameh (or Book of Kings), we might almost think ourselves back in the former Turkman library in Tabriz.

The New York Times - Arts

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the leading scorer in National Basketball Association history, has reached a settlement with Karim Abdul-Jabbar, the Miami Dolphins' running back, in the former basketball player's lawsuit alleging trademark infringement.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Back in 2004, the former Ohio State running back, Maurice Clarett, had filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the NFL age requirement under antitrust law.

Forbes

"I had a week out through injury, which was frustrating, but it shows the faith that the manager has got in me to put me straight back in," said the former Crewe man.

BBC

Back in December, the former "Who's the Boss" star was unwillingly caught in controversy when actor and comedian Jay Mohr made a tasteless comment about her post-pregnancy appearance.

Huffington Post

It comes back in and the former forces another corner.

The Guardian - Sport

Back in Dallas, the former president will mostly play golf, ride bicycles and dine with friends.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase “back in the former” as it's grammatically unconventional. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "in the past" or "previously" to ensure your writing is easily understood.

Common error

Many writers incorrectly use "former" to refer to a general past time. "Former" should be used specifically to denote a previous role, position, or state, not just any period in the past. For general past references, use phrases like "in the past" or "previously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back in the former" attempts to function as an adverbial phrase, indicating a temporal context related to a previous state or time. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Arts

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "back in the former" is an unconventional expression that attempts to reference a previous time or state. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, advising against its use in formal writing. Although it appears in various contexts, including news and media, its incorrect structure undermines its effectiveness. To convey the intended meaning, consider using clearer alternatives such as "in the past", "previously", or "in the old days". These alternatives ensure grammatical correctness and clarity, enhancing the overall quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

back in former times

This alternative clarifies that the reference is to a previous period, adding specific term 'times'.

returning to the previous state

This phrase emphasizes the action of going back to a condition that existed before.

reinstated in the prior role

This option focuses on someone being placed back into a position they held earlier.

back to what it used to be

This alternative describes reverting to a past condition or state of affairs.

restored to its original condition

This highlights the act of bringing something back to how it initially was.

back to the old days

This phrase uses a more informal tone to refer to a return to earlier times.

back to the past

This alternative simply states the action of going back to time that has already passed.

back when things were

This creates a sense of nostalgia, alluding to an earlier time when circumstances were different.

returning to how it was

This alternative simplifies the expression to focus on the act of reverting to a previous state.

in the olden days

This phrase provides an alternative for referring to old periods.

FAQs

What does "back in the former" mean?

The phrase "back in the former" is not standard English and may not be clearly understood. It seems to be an attempt to refer to a previous time or state, but the grammar is incorrect.

How can I correctly refer to a past time or condition?

Instead of "back in the former", use phrases like "in the past", "previously", or "in the old days" to clearly indicate a past time or condition.

Is "back in the former" grammatically correct?

No, "back in the former" is not grammatically correct. The word "former" requires a noun to specify what was previous, such as "former state" or "former position". Using it alone is grammatically incomplete.

What are some alternative ways to express returning to a past state?

You could use phrases such as "returning to its original condition", "reverting to how it was", or "restored to its original state" to indicate going back to a previous condition.