current and former

USAGE SUMMARY

"current and former" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that includes both current and former members of something, such as "current and former employees of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The current and former A.T.F.

The New York Times

Current and former American officials were stunned.

The New York Times

Current and former board members agreed.

The New York Times

Several current and former ferry officers concur.

The New York Times

Several current and former Columbia composers are featured.

Columbia University

High-risk current and former smokers may benefit.

Harvard University

Please check out my current and former research and publications.

Cornell University

Current and former advisers are welcome to weigh in, too.

The New York Times

Plenty, according to several current and former board members.

The New York Times

Some current and former police officers also expressed anger.

The New York Times

The task force spoke with current and former officers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need to include both present and past affiliations, use "current and former" to encompass all relevant individuals or entities. This avoids the need to list each category separately and ensures inclusivity.

Common error

While "current and former" is useful, ensure it's necessary. Don't use it if 'past' or 'previous' sufficiently covers the context, especially when the 'current' state is already implied or understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "current and former" functions as a modifier to describe a group or category that includes both present and past members or states. It often precedes a noun, such as "current and former employees" or "current and former students", to specify the composition of the group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

26%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "current and former" is a versatile modifier used to inclusively refer to both present and past members or states within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. Remember to use "current and former" to provide a complete picture, specifying all relevant individuals or states, and avoid redundancy by ensuring the term is necessary and not already implied in your writing. Top sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post frequently employ this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

present and past

Focuses on the temporal aspect of 'present' and 'past' states, emphasizing time rather than roles.

existing and previous

Highlights the state of existence, contrasting current with prior conditions.

sitting and former

Typically refers to individuals currently in office versus those who previously held the same office.

incumbent and past

Specifically refers to individuals holding or having held a position, often in a formal context.

serving and prior

Implies a period of service or duty, contrasting present engagement with past experiences.

recent and previous

Highlights the recency of events, making it more suitable where timeframe is essential.

active and retired

Commonly used to describe people who are either currently working or have previously worked and are now retired.

then and now

Uses a more contrasting structure, emphasizing changes over time.

reigning and past

Applies mainly to leadership roles or periods of governance, adding a sense of authority.

present and erstwhile

Employs a more formal and somewhat archaic term for 'former', shifting the tone significantly.

FAQs

How to use "current and former" in a sentence?

Use "current and former" to refer to a group that includes both those who are presently part of something and those who used to be, for example, "The study included "current and former employees" of the company".

What can I say instead of "current and former"?

You can use alternatives such as "present and past", "existing and previous", or rephrase to specify groups like "both current members and alumni depending on the context".

Which is correct, "current and former employees" or "former and current employees"?

"Current and former employees" is the more common and natural order. It follows the typical pattern of mentioning the present state before the past.

What's the difference between "current and former" and "recent and former"?

"Current and former" encompasses all past members, while "recent and former" suggests a focus on those with a more immediate or recent connection to the subject. The choice depends on whether you want to include everyone who was ever involved or only those with more recent ties.