ex-student

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ex-student" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who has previously attended a school or educational institution but is no longer a student there. Example: "As an ex-student of the university, I often return to attend alumni events and reconnect with former classmates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Its most famous ex-student is old gammon-face himself, David Cameron.

Independent

The ex-student swayed slowly to the beat of the music playing inside his own head.

Independent

I have an ex-student who is with them now and has a good government job".

The New Yorker

An ex-student says he was able to sell bogus IDs for $120 each.

The Economist

They get some beer & meet up with Burt, an ex-student of hers who's now a policeman.

The New Yorker

Violist Vicci Wardman, an ex-student of Chet's and then a friend of Clarke, said: "We knew what Ling was.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

As an (ex-) student of medieval literature, I'm toying with the idea of walking from London to Canterbury, maybe next Easter.

The Guardian - Travel

One of the most sought-after ex-students is George Rhoden.

Independent

The disagreements my students and ex-students have with me are reassuring signs.

The New York Times

I don't want, next summer, my students or my ex-students on the street rioting.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Iglesias and the students, ex-students and faculty academics worked hard to spread their ideas.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ex-student" to clearly indicate someone who was a student but is not currently enrolled, avoiding ambiguity about their current status.

Common error

Ensure you are not mistakenly referring to someone who is still a student when using the term "ex-student". The prefix "ex-" indicates a past status.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ex-student" functions as a noun, typically used as a subject or object within a sentence. It identifies an individual based on their past association with an educational institution. Ludwig provides several examples of its use in various contexts, affirming its grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ex-student" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe someone who was previously enrolled in an educational institution but is no longer a student. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse situations. While alternatives like "former student", "alumnus", and "alumna" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "ex-student" accurately to avoid confusion and to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Former student

Simple change in word order using a synonym that carries the same meaning.

Alumnus

Refers to a male graduate or former student.

Alumna

Refers to a female graduate or former student.

Graduate

Specifically refers to someone who has completed a course of study.

Past student

Uses "past" as a synonym for "ex", slightly less common.

Previous student

Uses "previous" as a synonym for "ex", slightly less common.

Old student

More informal term.

Student no longer enrolled

More descriptive and less concise.

Student who has left

Focuses on the act of leaving the institution.

Attended school

Emphasizes attendance without specifying completion or graduation.

FAQs

What is the difference between "ex-student" and alumnus/alumna?

"Ex-student" is a general term for someone who used to be a student. "Alumnus" (male) or "alumna" (female) specifically refers to someone who has graduated from a school or university.

When is it appropriate to use "ex-student"?

Use "ex-student" when you need to specify that someone was previously a student at an institution but is no longer enrolled, without necessarily implying graduation or completion of a program.

What can I say instead of "ex-student" if I want to emphasize graduation?

If you want to emphasize that the person graduated, use "graduate", "alumnus", or "alumna" instead.

Is "former student" the same as "ex-student"?

Yes, "former student" and "ex-student" are generally interchangeable and have the same meaning. Both indicate that someone was a student in the past.