ex

USAGE SUMMARY

"ex" is an acceptable and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a prefix to indicate former, as in "ex-employee," or as an abbreviation for "example," as in "for ex., I went to the store." An example sentence using "ex" as a prefix is "He worked as an ex-military engineer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"See, if I'm an outward-going person, then maybe my ex is the opposite, very quiet, private.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lighting up again, he says that throughout the disintegration of his marriage – with the ex he refuses to name here for reasons of privacy – he maintained his integrity and dignity, "for my children's sake".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In 2008, convinced that his ex needed geographical distance from him too, he moved abroad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfortunately potential output is not observable, not even ex post".

The Guardian - Business

The problem is, you don't trust your boyfriend - and who would blame you, as he clearly deceived you by seeing his ex?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The first academic casualty of the Boston College-Jean McConville furore has been a parallel project which was to involve a London-based historian and an ex-RUC officer as well as retired members of the Garda Siochana in the Irish Republic, all with long records in fighting terrorism.

The Guardian

There is also a telephone to which only the band's ex-members have the number: if it rings and a museum-goer picks it up, they will find themselves in the disconcerting position of holding a conversation with one of Abba while standing in front of a vast floor-to ceiling photograph of Abba.

The Guardian - Music

While many former Tories ended their flirtation with Ukip and went back home, ex-Labour Ukip defectors stayed with their new party.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Monday Boston College announced it was prepared to give back taped recordings and other material to dozens of ex-IRA and loyalist paramilitaries who had taken part.

The Guardian

But what does it all mean as Europe gently frazzles and David Goodhart, ex-editor of Prospect, now director of the Demos thinktank, pens an ambitious FT article (paywall) promoting a new settlement for British politics, what he calls "post-liberalism"?

The Guardian

Fresnes is of the same vintage as La Santé and boasts a similar roll-call of notorious ex-cons.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ex" as a prefix to denote a previous state or relationship (e.g., "ex-wife", "ex-president"). It's concise and widely understood in informal and news contexts.

Common error

Avoid overusing "ex" in formal or academic writing. In these settings, "former" or "previous" often provide a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ex" is to act as a prefix, modifying nouns to indicate a former role, relationship, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Lifestyle

33%

Opinion

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "ex" functions primarily as a prefix, denoting a former status or relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its general acceptability. While very common across various contexts, including News & Media, its level of formality is generally neutral, and more formal contexts might prefer "former". Usage tips include understanding the slight negative connotations in relationship contexts and opting for "former" in more formal writing.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ex-partner

Specifically refers to someone with whom one had a prior partnership.

Ex-spouse

Specifically denotes a former husband or wife.

Ex-employee

Refers to someone who was previously employed by an organization.

Former

More formal and less colloquial way to indicate a previous role or relationship.

Ex-president

Indicates a former holder of the presidential office.

Previous

Indicates something that came before the current item.

More alternative expressions

retired

systems

data

centres

levels

ex boyfriend

ex girlfriend

criteria

examples

professionals

communities

ex husband

estranged

earlier

released

les

former

required

disbanded

married

FAQs

How is "ex" used as a prefix?

The prefix "ex" indicates a former state or relationship, such as in "ex-boyfriend", "ex-employee", or "ex-president". It's a concise way to denote a prior association.

What's the difference between "ex" and "former"?

"Ex" is generally more informal than "former". While "ex" is suitable for casual conversation or news articles, "former" is often preferred in formal writing.

When should I use "ex-" instead of "previous"?

Use "ex-" primarily to describe relationships or roles, like "ex-partner" or "ex-leader". "Previous" is more general, referring to order or sequence, as in "previous experience" or "previous engagement".

Are there any negative connotations associated with the use of "ex"?

The term "ex" can sometimes carry negative connotations, especially when referring to relationships (e.g., "ex-girlfriend"). However, in other contexts, such as "ex-employee", it's usually neutral.