former lover

USAGE SUMMARY

'former lover' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone that you used to have a romantic relationship with. For example: I caught a glimpse of my former lover in the street the other day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her former lover?

The New Yorker

Was it a former lover?

The Economist

T'Challa's former lover.

The Washington Post

In 1998 his former lover killed himself.

The New York Times

A resentful former lover could exploit it.

The Guardian - Tech

That's when her former lover turns up.

The New York Times

And, incredibly, the former lover of Mrs. Bell.

The New Yorker

Buzz has come to get his former lover back.

The New Yorker

A former lover, spurned, is determined to save her successor.

The Economist

Her former lover filed a lawsuit, reportedly settled only recently.

The New York Times

He also talks about his former lover Kimberly Quinn.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive situations involving a "former lover", consider the potential impact on all parties involved and prioritize respectful language.

Common error

Avoid using "former lover" in contexts where the relationship isn't already clear to the audience. Provide necessary context to ensure clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former lover" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in narratives, news reports, and academic discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

19%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former lover" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone with whom a person previously had a romantic relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news reports, academic texts, and general writing. While it's generally neutral in tone, choosing alternative phrases like "previous partner" may be more appropriate for formal situations. When using the term "former lover", it is important to provide sufficient context for clarity and consider the potential impact of your language, since the phrase can be loaded. Overall, the versatility and wide usage of "former lover" make it a useful term in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-lover

A more concise way to refer to a past romantic partner.

ex-boyfriend

Specifically refers to a male former lover.

ex-girlfriend

Specifically refers to a female former lover.

previous partner

A neutral and formal term for a past relationship.

previous girlfriend

A more formal way to say ex-girlfriend

previous boyfriend

A more formal way to say ex-boyfriend

past flame

An idiomatic and slightly informal way to describe a former romantic interest.

old flame

Similar to "past flame", but emphasizing a longer period of time.

former romantic interest

Emphasizes the romantic nature of the past relationship.

one-time sweetheart

An old-fashioned and affectionate term for a former romantic partner.

FAQs

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

You can use "former lover" to describe someone with whom you previously had a romantic relationship. For example, "She ran into her "former lover" at the grocery store".

What is a less direct way to say "former lover"?

Consider using terms like "previous partner" or "ex-boyfriend"/"ex-girlfriend" depending on the context.

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

While generally acceptable, in formal contexts, "previous partner" may be a more neutral and appropriate choice.

What's the difference between "former lover" and "old flame"?

"Old flame" is a more idiomatic and often nostalgic term, while "former lover" is a more direct and neutral description of a past romantic relationship. "Former lover" is more commonly used in news reporting or academic analysis, as shown by Ludwig.