former method

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former method" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a method that was previously employed but is no longer in use. Example: "The researchers decided to abandon the former method in favor of a more efficient approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The results obtained by the former method are more reproducible.

Electrochimica Acta

The former method reported greater drug loading values and a sustained release profile.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics

The comparison reveals that the former method is more effective than the later.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

The former method involves close cooperation with users, whereas the latter does not.

Landscape and Urban Planning

In the former method, the hyperparameter is determined for minimization of the generalization error.

Neurocomputing

The former method is fast to sample, yet sacrifices the accuracy of the data representation.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

The former method resides on two-party communications while the latter resides on hierarchical group communications.

Journal of Systems Architecture

The control architecture based on localization and planning is compared to the former method.

Neural Networks

The former method involves searching for all sources within a specified radius of the Equatorial or Galactic source position coordinates.

Harvard University

The former method provides a stiffer mechanical response than the finite-element unit cell models.

Acta Materialia

The comparison between the results of the former method and the finite element tightly coupled analysis show almost satisfactory agreement.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting two methods, clearly define both before referring to the "former method" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "former method" without first establishing what that method is. Always provide context to ensure clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former method" acts as a determiner followed by a noun, functioning to refer to a previously mentioned method, distinguishing it from another, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former method" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a previously mentioned approach, especially when contrasting it with another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's important to provide clear context before employing this phrase to prevent ambiguity. While alternatives such as "previous approach" or "earlier technique" exist, "former method" maintains a professional tone suitable for scientific, academic, and news-related writing. Remember to ensure the method being referenced is well-defined to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous approach

This alternative focuses on the sequential aspect of the method, highlighting that it came before the current one.

earlier technique

This emphasizes the technical aspect of the method, indicating a shift to a newer technique.

original method

This highlights the initial or first method used, often implying a comparison with a modified or improved version.

initial procedure

This emphasizes the procedural aspect, focusing on the steps taken in the past.

preceding methodology

This is a more formal way of referring to the method that came before, often used in academic or technical contexts.

old method

This is a simpler and more direct way to refer to a method that is no longer in use.

past practice

This focuses on the habitual or customary aspect of the method, indicating that it was a common way of doing things in the past.

historical approach

This emphasizes the historical context of the method, suggesting that it is part of a past era.

superseded method

This indicates that the method has been officially replaced by a newer one.

deprecated method

This suggests that the method is no longer recommended for use, often in technical or software contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "former method" to refer back to a previously mentioned method, especially when contrasting it with another. For example: "We tested two approaches: A and B. The "former method" proved more efficient."

What's the difference between "former method" and "previous method"?

"Former method" and "previous method" are largely interchangeable. "Former" is slightly more formal, while "previous" is a bit more common in everyday language.

What can I say instead of "former method"?

You can use alternatives like "earlier technique", "original method", or "preceding methodology" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "former method" when discussing more than two methods?

While "former" technically refers to the first of two, it's best to rephrase when discussing more than two. Instead, specify the method by name or use terms like "first method" or "initial approach" to avoid ambiguity.