former person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former person" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an individual who previously held a certain position or role but no longer does. Example: "The former president of the company retired last year and handed over the reins to his successor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Instead, he's declared a "Former Person" and sentenced to life imprisonment in Moscow's Hotel Metropol.

The Washington Post

I didn't think of it as a former person until Christmas Day, when Hugh opened the cardboard coffin.

The New Yorker

The latter person wills the crime but not the punishments, but the former person wills in the abstract that anyone who is convicted of a capital crime will be punished by death.

SEP

I am the proponent, along with Civil Grand Jury former person Craig Weber, of Prop D, the measure that was placed on the ballot by 50,000 voters.

Huffington Post

So tall, blonde haired, bespectacled, slightly pimply Paul who was a Chad of "Chad and Jeremy" lookalike, if you are out there somewhere, I am remorseful and ashamed of my selfish fourteen year old former person.

HuffPost

Although "... a nonexistent person cannot truly be said to own something" [ 52], it might be argued that the will of that former person might still have binding power "not because of the rights of the nonexistent person, but rather the implied promise by society to honour somebody's wishes, even after that person was deceased" [ 52].

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Why can't you be on time? A. Contrary to suspicions, most chronically tardy people are not aiming to annoy those around them, said Diana DeLonzor, author of "Never Be Late Again" (Post Madison Publishing) and a former late person.

The New York Times

To assess Former Persons Under Monitoring (FPUM s' experiences and perceptions of the United States (US) Ebola Active Monitoring Program.

Public Health

The Soviet state implemented a policy of exclusion from society of "former persons" – a group that included those who lived off unearned income, clergy of all religions and tsarist functionaries – who were denied civic rights, prohibited from seeking public office and restricted in their access to the rationing system.

The Guardian

And God may select creatures to create who will choose to grow morally and spiritually, rather than creatures who will choose not to grow morally and spiritually, and select them for that very reason without his thereby loving the former persons more than the latter, or loving them because of there greater merit.

SEP

But as a former fat person, I would welcome the long-overdue acknowledgment of another unpopular truth -- not every fat person fits the stereotype of coming from a "miserable" family "that created a hole" in her soul "that she tried to fill with food".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "former person", ensure the context clearly indicates what role or characteristic the person previously held. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Be careful not to use "former person" in contexts where it might sound dehumanizing. In some cases, specifying the previous role or characteristic is more respectful and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former person" primarily functions as a descriptive term, identifying an individual's prior status or role. It combines the adjective "former," indicating a past state, with the noun "person," denoting an individual. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "former person" is a grammatically correct way to describe someone who previously held a specific role or possessed a characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While versatile, the phrase is relatively uncommon and should be used with consideration for context and tone. Be mindful of potential ambiguity and strive for specificity by clarifying the previous role whenever possible. While it's grammatically sound and understood, it's not always the most elegant or informative choice, so considering alternatives like "previous individual" or specifying the role is often advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous individual

Replaces 'person' with 'individual' maintaining a similar formal tone.

one-time person

Emphasizes the past nature of the person's role or state.

ex-person

Uses 'ex-' as a prefix to indicate a previous role or affiliation. This form is less commonly seen and might require a specific context.

past self

Focuses on a person's previous identity or characteristics, often used in personal development contexts.

erstwhile person

Uses 'erstwhile' to denote a past status, adding a slightly archaic or formal tone.

onetime associate

Replaces person with 'associate', changing the context towards professional setting

prior person

Substitutes “former” for “prior” which keeps the meaning but sounds less natural

past individual

Replaces both 'former' and 'person' with synonyms

previous occupant

Focuses on a person's role as an occupant or inhabitant of a place or position.

then person

Indicates a person's status at a specific point in the past.

FAQs

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

You can use "former person" to describe someone who previously held a position or had a certain characteristic. For example, "The defendant is a "former person" of interest in the investigation, but is no longer considered a suspect."

What are some alternatives to saying "former person"?

Alternatives to "former person" include "previous individual", "one-time person", or specifying the previous role, like "former employee" or "former student".

Is "former person" always the best choice to describe someone's past?

No, "former person" can sometimes sound impersonal or vague. It's often better to specify the role or characteristic the person previously had for clarity and context.

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

"Former person" and "previous person" are largely interchangeable. However, "former" often implies a more significant or official role that has been relinquished.