former generation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'former generation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to people from a generation that came before the current one. For example: "My grandparents belonged to the former generation that grew up without computers or the internet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They dress in an older, more formal way than their contemporaries – but not always, and it's not as extreme as a former generation of royals.

Independent

"Most of the opportunities available to senior citizens were designed for a former generation of older adults, to get them out of the rocking chair.

The New York Times - Health

Comedian and former Generation Game host Davidson departed last night after a row in which he called homosexuals "shirtlifters" and upset gay contestant Brian Dowling.

The Guardian

Cyrus, and a former generation of Disney child stars turned singers such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, are "encouraged to present themselves as hypersexualised, unrealistic, cartoonish, as objects, reducing female sexuality to a prize you can win", said Church.

The Guardian - Music

The new model predicts the evolution of the cell number for different sub-populations: adult cells consisting of budding mother cells and adult cells waiting in G1 phase; daughter cells consisting of buds attached to mother cells in G2 or M phase, expanding newborn cells detached from the mother cells and daughter cells from the former generation.

Chemical Engineering Science

This paper will pose the question: what has become of that vision of a former generation?

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The doctors of former generations lament what medicine has become.

The New Yorker

Unlike graduates from former generations, Mr. Lieberman, 23, says he is considering a career in food television.

The New York Times - Food

Former generations of authors have also been equally inventive in their attempts to self-medicate.

The Guardian - Books

The historical solutions can provide information about the former generations and in turn help to guide the evolving of population.

Swarm and Evolutionary Computation

"Does that make me sound like an unaware spoiled brat reaping the benefits of what former generations endured?" Not necessarily.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "former generation", ensure the context clearly defines the specific group of people or things being referenced in relation to the current one. This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "former generation" without a clear point of comparison. Vague references can confuse the reader; always provide context to establish which generation is being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former generation" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in contrasting past and present behaviors, technologies, and values.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former generation" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to a group of people or things that existed before the current one. As evidenced by Ludwig's AI, it appears frequently in news, science, and academic contexts, serving the purpose of comparison and contrast across time. While synonymous with phrases like "previous generation" and "past generation", "former generation" maintains a neutral tone and is useful for establishing clear distinctions between different eras or groups. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context provides enough information for the reader to easily identify the specific generation being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous generation

Emphasizes the temporal precedence of the generation.

past generation

Highlights that the generation belongs to the past.

earlier generation

Focuses on the earlier time period of the generation.

preceding generation

Indicates the generation that came directly before.

older generation

Stresses the age difference compared to the current generation.

bygone generation

Suggests the generation is long gone and belongs to history.

ancestral generation

Links the generation to ancestry and heritage.

foregoing generation

A more formal synonym for the generation that precedes.

old generation

A simple and direct way to refer to the past generation.

outdated generation

Implies that the generation's ideas or practices are no longer current.

FAQs

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

You can use "former generation" to compare past and present practices. For example, "The "former generation" relied on landlines, while the current generation uses smartphones."

What's the difference between "former generation" and "previous generation"?

While similar, "former generation" implies a more distant past or a distinct separation, while "previous generation" simply means the one before the current.

Is it correct to say "the former generations"?

Yes, "the former generations" is correct. It refers to multiple generations that came before the current one, emphasizing a historical perspective. It can be used to highlight how values and behaviours have evolved over time.

When should I use "older generation" instead of "former generation"?

Use "older generation" when you want to emphasize the age difference and perhaps contrast the values or experiences of older people with those of younger people. "Former generation" is more neutral and simply indicates a generation that came before.