former partner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former partner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone with whom you had a romantic or business relationship in the past. Example: "After years of collaboration, I decided to reconnect with my former partner to discuss potential future projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her former partner divorced, then remarried.

The New York Times

Former partner of Schwartz & Weiss.

The New York Times

Former partner with Gayle King Carr and Lynch.

The New York Times

Her former partner then killed himself.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a tragedy for his former partner.

The Guardian

Interview with his former partner, Edward Jacobson.

The New Yorker

Former partner with Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine.

The New York Times

To our cherished friend and former partner.

The New York Times

That same season, his former partner John Davidson called 153.

The New York Times

Reached by telephone, Mr. Chiacchia's former partner declined to comment.

The New York Times - Sports

He is a former partner in Pillsbury Winthrop in Washington.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "former partner", be specific about the nature of the relationship (business, romantic, etc.) to provide clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid implying ongoing responsibility or influence from a "former partner". Clearly delineate that the relationship has ended to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former partner" functions as a compound noun, where the adjective "former" modifies the noun "partner". It indicates a person who was previously in a partnership but is no longer. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former partner" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term to describe someone with whom you previously had a partnership, whether in a business, romantic, or other context. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable in written English and used across diverse sources, predominantly in news and media. When using "former partner", clarity is key; specify the nature of the partnership to avoid ambiguity and ensure that the context reflects the past nature of the relationship. While "ex-partner" serves as a more informal alternative, "former partner" maintains a neutral tone appropriate for various professional and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-partner

Shorter and more informal alternative, commonly used in personal contexts.

previous partner

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the relationship being in the past.

past associate

More formal and typically used in business or professional contexts.

one-time colleague

Highlights a past professional relationship in a neutral tone.

erstwhile collaborator

More literary and emphasizes a past working relationship.

prior companion

Focuses on a past personal relationship or shared experience.

bygone teammate

Specifically refers to a past association within a team context.

past significant other

Specifically denotes a romantic relationship that has ended.

old flame

Informal and refers to a past romantic relationship, often short-lived.

once-partnered with

Describes the act of having been in a partnership previously.

FAQs

What does "former partner" mean?

A "former partner" refers to someone with whom an individual had a partnership in the past, whether in a business, romantic, or other context. The term indicates that the relationship is no longer active.

Is "ex-partner" or "former partner" more appropriate?

"Ex-partner" is generally more informal, while "former partner" is more neutral and suitable for professional contexts. Choose the term that best fits the tone and audience of your writing.

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

You can use "former partner" to describe a past relationship, such as: "She collaborated with her "former partner" on the project" or "The company sued its "former partner" for breach of contract".

What are some alternatives to "former partner"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "previous partner", "past associate", or "one time colleague" to convey a similar meaning.