ex-member

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ex-member" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who was previously a member of a group, organization, or team but is no longer part of it. Example: "The ex-member of the committee shared their insights on the recent changes in policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alexandre Barmine, ex-member of the Russian Communist….

The New Yorker

Ex-member Eg White writes hit songs for Will Young and Adele.

Independent

Boukan Ginen was formed by an ex-member of Boukman Eksperyans.

The New York Times

Another Fleetway executive was "a raging fascist", an ex-member of Mosley's blackshirts.

The Guardian - Books

Sharing the bill is Boukan Ginen, formed by an ex-member of Boukman Eksperyans.

The New York Times

And Mr Harkin's people blamed everything on a junior member of the staff, now suddenly an ex-member.

The Economist

Last April, a detective visited the rural home of Donald Altland, 51, another ex-member of the gang.

The New York Times - Magazine

Lieberman is an ex-member of Meir Kahane's party, Kach, which was outlawed due to its blatantly racist platform.

The Guardian - Opinion

I mean c'mon, how often do you get a panelist who's not only an ex-member of the National Union of Mineworkers, but a Tory frontbencher as well?

Independent

"It's practically a sacred job," says an accused kidnapper and ex-member of the Movement of the Revolutionary Left in Chile.

The New York Times

Cécile Duflot, the Green party leader and ex-member of President François Hollande's Socialist government, called the death an "indelible stain" on the government.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ex-member" when you want to clearly indicate that someone was previously a member of a group but is no longer affiliated with it. It's concise and widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "member" when you specifically need to convey that the person is no longer part of the group. "Member" implies current affiliation, while "ex-member" clarifies that the affiliation has ended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ex-member" functions primarily as a noun modifier, specifying the type of member being discussed. This is consistent with Ludwig, which highlights its use in various contexts to describe individuals who previously belonged to a group or organization. The primary grammatical function is adjectival, as it describes a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "ex-member" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe someone who was previously a member of a group or organization. Ludwig confirms its proper usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media, with a neutral formality. The phrase functions as a noun modifier, clarifying an individual's past affiliation. While alternatives like "former member" exist, "ex-member" provides a clear and concise way to convey this information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

former member

Replaces "ex-" with "former", providing a slightly more formal alternative.

past member

Uses "past" instead of "ex-" or "former", emphasizing the time aspect of membership.

previous member

Similar to "past member", highlighting that the membership occurred in the past.

one-time member

Indicates that the individual was a member at one point but is no longer.

erstwhile member

A more formal and less common synonym for "ex-member".

departed member

Emphasizes the act of leaving the group or organization.

resigned member

Specifies that the individual left by resigning their position.

retired member

Suggests the individual left due to retirement or a similar reason.

alumnus

Specifically used for former members of educational institutions or organizations.

graduate

Similar to "alumnus" but more generic, referring to someone who has completed a program or membership.

FAQs

How do you use "ex-member" in a sentence?

"Ex-member" typically precedes the name of the group or organization, such as "an ex-member of the band" or "an ex-member of the committee".

What's a more formal alternative to "ex-member"?

A more formal alternative is "former member". It carries a similar meaning but is often preferred in professional contexts.

Is it correct to hyphenate "ex member"?

Yes, "ex-member" is typically hyphenated. While "ex member" might be understood, the hyphen clarifies that "ex-" is a prefix modifying "member".

What's the difference between "ex-member" and "potential member"?

"Ex-member" refers to someone who was previously a member but is no longer, whereas "potential member" refers to someone who may become a member in the future but is not currently one.