former graduate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former graduate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when referring to someone who has already graduated from a specific school or program. Example: The former graduate of the University of Oxford is now a successful doctor.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both are former graduate students of Coe's.

Yale University

Former graduate student Elizabeth Shepherd, PhD, is the lead author.

Stanford University

She is a former graduate of Harvard Law School, where she has taught international women's rights.

The Guardian

The person on the other end of the line was a former graduate of the course.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A former graduate student of Lowell's at Harvard, Mr Bidart was appointed his literary executor after the poet's death.

The Economist

One former graduate entrepreneur who knows all about the highs and lows of setting up a business is Nick Holzherr.

Independent

A former graduate student of de Juan's, Dr. Robert Greenberg, co-founded the company Second Sight to manufacture the device.

The New Yorker

Two former graduate students and three Cornell faculty spoke at that Congress.

Cornell University

The book is co-authored by her former graduate student, Sam Sternberg.

University of California, Berkeley

Cornell Faculty and former graduate students at the International Congress of Mathematicians.

Cornell University

Chris Whitewoods, co-first author, is a former graduate student in Harrison's lab.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider specifying the year of graduation or the field of study to provide additional relevant information.

Common error

Avoid confusing "former graduate" with "formally graduate". "Former" indicates a previous state, while "formally" relates to the manner or procedure of graduating. "Formally graduate" is not a typical or grammatically correct phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former graduate" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. It indicates that the person described previously held the status of a graduate. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

51%

News & Media

43%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "former graduate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe someone who has completed their graduate studies. As Ludwig AI points out, it is usable in written English and can describe someone who has already graduated from a specific school or program. The phrase is commonly found in academic, news, and media contexts, as demonstrated by the examples. While there are alternative phrases like "graduate alumnus", the core meaning remains consistent. Remember to provide context regarding the institution or program to ensure clarity. Avoid confusing "former" with "formally". By understanding these nuances, you can use "former graduate" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Graduate alumnus

Focuses specifically on someone who has graduated and is now an alumnus of the graduate program.

Past graduate student

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of no longer being a graduate student.

Ex-graduate student

A more concise way of saying someone is no longer a graduate student.

Previous graduate

Uses 'previous' to denote a prior state of being a graduate.

Graduate school alumnus

Similar to graduate alumnus but explicitly includes the school.

Alumnus of the graduate program

Similar to graduate alumnus but more verbose.

Graduate program completer

Highlights the successful completion of the graduate program.

Graduated student

Focuses on the action of graduating.

Once a graduate student

Highlights a past state of being a graduate student.

Post-graduate

Describes someone in the time period after graduation. Can also describe graduate studies.

FAQs

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

You can use "former graduate" to describe someone who has completed a graduate program. For example, "The "former graduate" of Harvard is now a CEO."

What's a more formal way to say "former graduate"?

A more formal alternative could be "graduate alumnus" or "alumnus of the graduate program". For example, "The "graduate alumnus" gave a speech."

Is it correct to say "previously graduate" instead of "former graduate"?

While "previously" can indicate a past state, it's not commonly used with "graduate" in this context. "Former graduate" is the standard and more natural phrasing.

What's the difference between "former graduate" and "current graduate student"?

"Former graduate" refers to someone who has already completed their graduate studies, while "current graduate student" refers to someone who is presently enrolled in and pursuing graduate studies.