former mayor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'former mayor' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who previously held the position of mayor in a particular area or institution. For example, "The former mayor of New York City addressed the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Steinbrenner hugged the former mayor.

The New Yorker

Former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani is traveling.

The New York Times

"Yes, sir," the former mayor said.

The New York Times

Former Mayor David N.

The New York Times

Not the former mayor.

The New York Times

The former mayor paused.

The New York Times - Arts

His name is Rudolph W. Giuliani, our former mayor.

The New York Times

There was one exception: former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.

The New York Times

(Daley, Chicago's former mayor, survived several scandals).

The New Yorker

Dinkins, the former mayor, officiated.

The New York Times - Style

"Former Mayor Giuliani came in".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "former mayor" to clearly indicate that someone previously held the position but no longer does. It avoids ambiguity and provides a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "former mayor" when referring to the current mayor. Ensure clarity by specifying "current mayor" or simply "mayor" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former mayor" functions as a noun phrase, where "former" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "mayor". It identifies an individual by their past role as the chief executive of a city or town. Ludwig confirms the accuracy and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "former mayor" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe someone who previously held the position of mayor. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s readily accepted and applicable in diverse writing contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic and formal/business settings. While alternatives like "ex-mayor" exist, "former mayor" maintains a professional tone suitable for most situations. Remember to use it accurately to avoid confusion with the current mayor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-mayor

A shorter, more informal way to say "former mayor".

past mayor

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of having held the position in the past.

previous mayor

Similar to "past mayor", highlighting the sequence of mayors.

one-time mayor

Highlights that the person held the position at one point in time.

mayor emeritus

Suggests an honorary title, often used for retired mayors.

outgoing mayor

Refers to a mayor who is leaving office, typically at the end of their term.

retired mayor

Specifically indicates the mayor has retired from the position.

incumbent mayor

The person who used to be the mayor. Now someone else is in charge.

predecessor to the current mayor

Formal way to refer to the mayor who came before the current one.

mayor in the prior administration

Refers to the mayor who served during the previous administration.

FAQs

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

You can use "former mayor" to refer to someone who previously held the mayoral position, such as in the sentence, "The "former mayor" attended the ceremony."

What's the difference between ""former mayor"" and "mayor emeritus"?

"Former mayor" simply indicates someone who previously held the office. "Mayor emeritus" is an honorary title, often given to retired mayors for their distinguished service.

Can I use "ex-mayor" instead of ""former mayor""?

Yes, "ex-mayor" is a more informal equivalent of ""former mayor"". While acceptable, ""former mayor"" is generally preferred in formal contexts.

Is it appropriate to use ""former mayor"" in journalistic writing?

Yes, it's perfectly appropriate. It provides clarity and is commonly used in news articles to refer to individuals who previously served as mayor.