former driver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former driver" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who used to work as a driver but no longer does. For example: - The company's former driver, John, retired last year after 20 years of service. - Maria used to be a former driver for a ride-sharing company before she started her own business. - My grandfather was a former driver for a delivery company in his younger days. - The former driver of the school bus was loved by all the students for his kind and patient nature.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Television commentator, and former driver, Kyle Petty, a television commentator and former driver, decried Nascar's action as "censorship".

The New York Times

The cars owned by Kalitta's father, Connie, a beloved former driver, were withdrawn.

The New York Times - Sports

He is now on trial on charges of sodomizing his former driver.

The New York Times

He was sued by his former driver, who accused Curry of sexual harassment.

The New York Times - Sports

A former driver and warehouse manager who rose to run the online business.

The Guardian - Business

Curry and the former driver, David Kuchinsky, along with their lawyers, met Monday in Chicago.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a monster," Ward, a former driver, said in a telephone interview Friday.

The New York Times - Sports

His former driver is a suspected drug dealer with ties to the Toronto underworld.

The Guardian

Among those killed by De Kock was Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's former driver.

The Guardian

Shortly after that, a road roller, also working nearby, levelled the area," the former driver said.

The Guardian

Mediaite: Meet Paul Ryan: running mate, Congressional leader, fiscal watchdog — and former driver of the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "former driver", clarify the context by specifying what type of driving they used to do (e.g., "former race car driver", "former taxi driver") for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating someone is a "former driver" without mentioning their current occupation or any relevant details about their past driving career. Providing context enhances understanding and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former driver" functions primarily as a modifier followed by a noun. "Former" acts as an adjective specifying that the individual previously held the role of a driver. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former driver" is a grammatically correct and common way to describe someone who previously worked as a driver but no longer does. Ludwig highlights the phrase's versatility, showing its use across various contexts, especially in news and media. While straightforward, providing context—such as the type of driving or the reason for no longer driving—can enhance clarity. Considering the information and analysis above, the phrase "former driver" effectively conveys a person's prior occupation and adds relevant background to discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous driver

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of having driven before, similar to "former driver".

ex-driver

A shorter, more informal way to say "former driver".

past driver

Similar to "previous driver", indicating a driver from an earlier time.

retired driver

Specifically indicates that the driver has stopped driving due to retirement.

one-time driver

Highlights that the person was a driver at some point in the past.

once a driver

Emphasizes a past identity as a driver.

driver who no longer drives

A more descriptive way of saying "former driver".

driver turned [new profession]

Highlights the career change from driving to another profession.

driver in the past

Focuses on the past tense aspect of driving.

driver-turned-[new profession]

Similar to "driver turned [new profession]", but hyphenated for brevity.

FAQs

How can I use "former driver" in a sentence?

You can use "former driver" to describe someone who previously worked as a driver but no longer does. For example, "The company hired a consultant who is a "former driver" for professional race teams".

What's a more informal way to say "former driver"?

A more informal way to say "former driver" is "ex-driver". This is a shorter and more casual term.

What can I say instead of "former driver" if they are retired?

If the driver has retired, you can say "retired driver". This specifically indicates they stopped driving due to retirement.

Is it correct to use "past driver" instead of "former driver"?

While "past driver" is grammatically correct, "former driver" is more commonly used and clearly understood. "Former" emphasizes the change in status, whereas "past" simply refers to a time in the past.