former members

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former members" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who were previously part of a group or organization but are no longer members. Example: "The reunion will be held next month, and we hope to see many former members of the club."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some former members have joined other parties.

The New York Times

Former members of Kraftwerk?

The New York Times

The remaining seven former members were reappointed.

The Guardian

Two former members of Ms. Merkel's government are at odds.

The New York Times

Four are professional politicians serving or former members of Congress.

The Economist

Indeed, former members argue they are technically still on duty.

The New York Times

Other members of the Brotherhood — or former members — went further.

The New York Times - Magazine

The walls are lined with photographs of former members.

The Economist

BNP former members are barred from joining Ukip".

Independent

Former members of Congress are also in on this game.

The New York Times

"I should say former members of my administration".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "former members" when discussing a group or organization's history or changes in its composition.

Common error

Do not use terms like "old members" or "previous team" without further clarification, as they can be vague. Instead, specify "former members" to clearly indicate that these individuals are no longer part of the group or organization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former members" functions as a noun phrase that identifies individuals who were previously part of a group, organization, or entity. It's used to distinguish them from current members. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Huffington Post

1%

Los Angeles Times

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former members" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to individuals who were previously part of a group or organization but are no longer active participants. Ludwig AI indicates it follows standard grammar rules. It is most frequently used in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. Alternatives include "previous members" and "ex-members". When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the individuals' past affiliation and avoid ambiguous terms. Remember to use "former members" rather than "old members" if you intend to clearly express previous affiliation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous members

Replaces "former" with "previous", offering a direct synonym with minimal semantic shift.

ex-members

Uses the prefix "ex-" to indicate a past association, providing a concise alternative.

past members

Emphasizes the past association using "past" as a synonym for "former".

one-time members

Highlights that the individuals were members only at one point in time.

onetime members

A single-word version of "one-time members" with slightly increased formality.

erstwhile members

Utilizes a more formal term, "erstwhile", to indicate a previous status.

retired members

Implies that the members left due to retirement or a similar long-term departure.

alumni

Refers to former members, often in the context of organizations or institutions.

departed members

Suggests the members have left the group, possibly due to termination or similar reasons.

disaffiliated members

Indicates that the members have formally ended their affiliation with the group.

FAQs

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

You can use "former members" to refer to individuals who were previously part of a group but are no longer active. For example, "The organization held a reunion for its "previous members"."

What's a more concise way to say "former members"?

Alternatives include "ex-members" or "past members", which are shorter and convey the same meaning.

Is there a more formal synonym for "former members"?

In formal contexts, you might use "erstwhile members", although this term is less common in everyday speech.

What is the difference between "former members" and "founding members"?

"Former members" refers to individuals who were once part of a group but are no longer. "Founding members", on the other hand, refers specifically to those who initially established the group or organization.