former methods

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former methods" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to techniques or approaches that were previously employed but are no longer in use. Example: "In our latest research, we found that the former methods were less effective compared to the new techniques we have developed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

For many years, the Netherlands openly tolerated the two former methods but kept them technically illegal.

The New York Times

For the former methods, we give an implementation which is both efficient and yet effectively explicit.

Journal of Computational Physics

For some reason Atherton felt compelled to defend his former methods.

Independent

They have a different mind-set, making former methods of approach obsolete.

The New York Times

The former methods have been successfully applied to reproduce observed trends in catalytic activities and to design new materials.

Current Opinion in Electrochemistry

The former methods have the advantage that both the sparsity and the computational effort can be controlled.

Neurocomputing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing "former methods" with current ones, clearly state the specific improvements or advantages of the new approaches.

Common error

Avoid automatically dismissing "former methods" as ineffective. Sometimes, they may still be relevant or useful in specific contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former methods" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase. It is used to denote techniques, procedures, or approaches that were utilized in the past but are no longer in primary use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "former methods" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to refer to techniques or approaches that were previously employed but are no longer in primary use. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It is frequently found in scientific and news contexts, serving the purpose of comparing and contrasting past practices with current ones. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about the improvements or advantages of current methods and avoid automatically dismissing "former methods" as ineffective. Consider exploring alternatives like "previous methods" or "past methods" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous methods

This alternative simply uses a different adjective to describe the methods.

past methods

This alternative uses a synonym for "former" to indicate methods used in the past.

old methods

This alternative uses a more general term for "old" instead of "former".

earlier methods

This alternative highlights the temporal aspect of the methods being used before.

outdated methods

This alternative emphasizes that the methods are no longer current or effective.

historical methods

This alternative frames the methods as belonging to a specific time period.

traditional methods

This alternative refers to methods that have been used for a long time and are considered conventional.

conventional methods

This alternative highlights the established and accepted nature of the methods.

legacy methods

This alternative suggests the methods are inherited from the past and may be nearing obsolescence.

preceding methods

This alternative emphasizes the sequential order of the methods.

FAQs

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

You can use "former methods" to contrast past approaches with current ones, like: "The new algorithm significantly outperforms the "former methods" in terms of accuracy and speed."

What are some alternatives to "former methods"?

Alternatives include "previous methods", "past methods", or "outdated methods", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always correct to replace "former methods" with "current methods"?

No, it's not always correct. "Former methods" refers to techniques used in the past, while "current methods" refers to techniques used now. They are opposites and cannot be interchanged. For example, you can't say "The "current methods" were used in the 1950s", it should be "The "former methods" were used in the 1950s".

What is the difference between "former methods" and "traditional methods"?

"Former methods" simply indicates methods used previously. "Traditional methods" implies that the methods have been used for a long time and are part of a long-standing practice. While some "former methods" may have been traditional, not all were.