former fiance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former fiance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who was previously engaged to be married but is no longer engaged. Example: "After their breakup, she often reflected on her time with her former fiance and the plans they had made together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

She makes Karl, her former fiance, cry time and again.

The Guardian

Her former fiance Paul McCartney would undoubtedly approve.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Until recently, it looked as if she would lose her son to her former fiance, Benjamin Bronfman, unless she agreed to bring up Ikhyd in the US.

The Guardian - Music

The Grammy-winning singer's father, Mitch Winehouse, and her former fiance, Reg Traviss, are reportedly planning their own documentary to address issues raised in Kapadia's film Amy.

The Guardian - Film

I note, however, from the BFI's new release, that former MP (and former fiance of Lucy Walker James Purnelll is no longer on the board.

The Guardian - Film

As the community gathers to search for her in the wilds, evidence against Brett Kincaid, decorated Iraq war veteran and former fiance of the disappeared's beautiful sister, begins to grow.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Her fiance, the former EastEnders actor Ross Kemp, is a patron of the National Osteoporosis Society and a friend of Camilla.

The Guardian

Predeceased by his mother, Judith, survived by his father, Michael, children, Sarah and Gabriel, fiance, Hillary, former wife, Carol, brother, Joseph Karen, Jeffrey Marjorierie), sister, Caryn (Paul), many nieces and nephews and countless dear friends; all will love and miss him forever.

The New York Times

Spears' wedding to former manager and current fiance Trawick is allegedly mere weeks away, the Mirror reported on Sunday.

Huffington Post

The fiance to former "Roseanne" star and TV host Sara Gilbert, said that being gay is just a part of who she is and she's a very open person.

Huffington Post

Last night, one of the guests was Shane Warne, the former Australian cricketer and current fiance of Elizabeth Hurley.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "former fiance", clarify the timeline of the relationship to avoid confusion. For instance, specify when the engagement occurred and when it ended.

Common error

Avoid using "former fiance" to describe someone who is still currently engaged or in a committed relationship with the person. The term implies the relationship has ended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former fiance" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is used to identify someone who was previously engaged but is no longer in that relationship. The examples show it clearly labels a past relationship status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "former fiance" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe someone who was previously engaged but is no longer in that relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in providing factual information, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "ex-fiance" exist, "former fiance" maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the timeline of the relationship is essential to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-fiance

A shorter, more direct synonym.

previous fiance

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the relationship being in the past.

one-time fiance

Highlights that the person was a fiance at only one point in time.

past fiance

A more general way to indicate the end of a fiance relationship.

erstwhile fiance

A more formal and less common synonym.

former betrothed

Uses a more formal term, 'betrothed', to indicate the past engagement.

betrothed of the past

A more poetic and less direct way to describe a previous fiance.

fiance from a prior engagement

More descriptive, specifying that the person was a fiance in a previous engagement.

fiance, now separated

Indicates that the engagement ended in separation.

fiance, no longer together

Highlights the current status of not being together.

FAQs

How to use "former fiance" in a sentence?

You can use "former fiance" to refer to someone who was previously engaged to be married, but the engagement ended. For example: "She often thought about her "former fiance" and the life they had planned together."

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

While both "ex-fiance" and "former fiance" refer to someone you were previously engaged to, "ex-fiance" might carry a slightly stronger connotation of a more definitive and perhaps less amicable separation. However, they are often used interchangeably.

What can I say instead of "former fiance"?

Alternatives include "ex-fiance", "previous fiance", or "past fiance", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "former fiance" in formal writing?

Yes, "former fiance" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in journalistic or biographical contexts where it's necessary to accurately describe a past relationship. Ensure the context warrants mentioning the "former fiance".