former member

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former member" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who was previously a member of a group, organization, or team but is no longer part of it. Example: "As a former member of the committee, I have valuable insights to share about our past projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is a former member of Parliament.

The New York Times

Former member of the NY Stock exchange.

The New York Times

Former member of American Stock Exchange.

The New York Times

Want a former member of the House?

The New York Times

Former member of The Colony Club, NYC.

The New York Times

Former member of the Socialist Worker's Party.

The Guardian

Former member Lone Star Boat Club.

The New York Times

I'm a former member of Congress.

The Washington Post

But woe betide a leaky former member.

The Guardian - Books

She is a former member, not a current one.

The New York Times

He is a former member, not a current one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to someone's past affiliation, clarify the timeframe or context of their "former member" status to provide a clearer understanding. For example, specify "former member of the board" or "former member from 2010-2015".

Common error

Avoid using "former member" when the person still holds some form of membership or association with the organization. "Former" indicates a complete severance of ties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former member" functions as a compound noun, typically acting as a subject complement or an adjective modifying another noun. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and widely utilized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "former member" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to denote someone's past affiliation with a group or organization. According to Ludwig AI, its usability is confirmed. The phrase is commonly found in news, media, and academic contexts. When using "former member", it is best practice to provide specific context. While "former member" is suitable for professional and neutral registers, its formality can be enhanced with more precise details relevant to Academic or Scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

past member

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of membership being in the past.

previous member

Highlights the sequence, indicating membership occurred before the present.

ex-member

A shorter, more informal way to denote someone who used to be a member.

one-time member

Emphasizes that the membership was only for a single period.

erstwhile member

A more formal and somewhat archaic term for a past member.

onetime associate

Indicates a past connection or affiliation, focusing on association rather than formal membership.

past affiliate

Highlights the previous affiliation with a group or organization.

alumnus

Specifically refers to a former member of an educational institution.

graduate

Implies completion of a program and former membership in an educational setting.

retiree

Specifically refers to someone who has retired from an organization or profession.

FAQs

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

You can use "former member" to describe someone who was previously part of a group or organization but is no longer a part of it. For instance, "The panel included a "former member" of the city council".

What's a more informal way to say "former member"?

An ex-member is a shorter, more informal alternative to "former member". For example, "He is an "ex-member" of the band".

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

Yes, "former member" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe someone's past affiliation with an organization. You can also use the term "previous member" as well.

What's the difference between "former member" and "current member"?

"Former member" refers to someone who was previously a member of a group but is no longer part of it, while "current member" describes someone who is presently part of the group. Using the correct term ensures clarity about a person's status. Remember to not use the two terms together because they're antonymous.