former flatmate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'former flatmate' is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it when referring to someone that you used to share living space with. For example, "My former flatmate moved away a few months ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Werritty, a former flatmate of Fox, was best man at the minister's wedding in 2005.

The Guardian

A former flatmate, "got confused and I found out that he had been telling people I had the bubonic plague".

Independent

McCluskey also repeated his challenge to Watson, his former flatmate, to "test his mandate" as the party's elected deputy leader.

The Guardian

Prescott was said to be pleased when his old friend and former flatmate, Dennis Skinner, endorsed David Miliband last week.

The Guardian

Lord Falconer of Thoroton, Tony Blair's former flatmate, is back, advising Ed Miliband on how to prepare for government.

The Guardian

The former flatmate of Russell Howard and Jon Richardson deserves a share of the limelight himself and should get it with this charming show.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Forster remembers his former flatmates differently: "Was it a hair-raising experience?" he ponders.

The Guardian - Music

Mr Fox and the much younger Mr Werrity were former flatmates and "close friends", the press noted.

The Economist

Meredith Kercher's former flatmates Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito had their convictions for her murder reinstated on Thursday night.

The Guardian

The long-time collaborators and former flatmates will present a series of podcasts and live shows from the tournament for Absolute Radio, to be produced by Avalon Television.

The Guardian

Charlie Falconer, a former lord chancellor, and one-time flatmate to Tony Blair, has been pursuing change in this most contentious of fields almost since he left the Blair administration.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "former flatmate" when you need to clearly indicate that someone is no longer sharing living space with the person being discussed. This avoids ambiguity and potential confusion about their current living situation.

Common error

Don't simply refer to someone as a "friend" if the context requires specifying that they were a "former flatmate". This precision is important when the living arrangement is relevant to the story or situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former flatmate" functions as a compound noun phrase where "former" modifies "flatmate". Ludwig AI confirms it is a common way to describe someone with whom one previously shared a residence. It serves to clearly define a past relationship.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former flatmate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe someone with whom you previously shared living quarters. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is appropriate in written English. The phrase finds frequent use in news and media contexts where clarity and precision are essential. While "ex-flatmate" and "previous roommate" are viable alternatives, the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. When using this phrase, ensure the past living arrangement is pertinent to the subject matter being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous roommate

Replaces "flatmate" with "roommate", common in American English, otherwise very similar.

ex-housemate

Uses "housemate" instead of "flatmate", implying a house rather than an apartment.

past housemate

Similar to "ex-housemate" but with a slightly more formal tone.

one-time roommate

Emphasizes that the shared living arrangement occurred in the past and is no longer ongoing.

former co-tenant

A more formal and legalistic term for someone who previously shared a rental property.

previous co-occupant

Another formal term, highlighting shared occupancy of a dwelling.

bygone flatmate

A more literary and less common way of saying "former flatmate".

erstwhile roommate

Uses "erstwhile", a somewhat archaic word meaning "former".

old flatmate

Replaces "former" with "old", indicating a past relationship.

past flatmate

Emphasizes the past nature of the relationship, same as 'old flatmate' but slightly more formal.

FAQs

How do I use "former flatmate" in a sentence?

You can use "former flatmate" to specify that someone used to share accommodation with you, like in the sentence "My "former flatmate" is now a successful entrepreneur".

What's the difference between "former flatmate" and "old flatmate"?

"Former flatmate" is a more explicit way to describe a past living arrangement, while "old flatmate" might imply a continuing friendship or relationship beyond just the shared living space.

Is it correct to say "ex-flatmate" instead of "former flatmate"?

Yes, "ex-flatmate" is a common and acceptable alternative to "former flatmate". Both indicate that the person no longer shares living space with you.

When should I use "former flatmate" instead of just "flatmate"?

Use "former flatmate" when the fact that the person no longer lives with you is relevant to the context. If their current living situation isn't important, "flatmate" might suffice if you're referring to a past period.