former professor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former professor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who previously held the position of a professor but no longer does. Example: "After retiring, she became a former professor at the university, sharing her knowledge through guest lectures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My stepfather was a former professor.

The New York Times

Psychologist and former Professor at CUNY.

The New York Times

The student asked his former professor what he should do.

The Economist

Tony is my former professor, mentor and close friend.

The Guardian - Books

He thought of contacting his strange-looking former professor.

The New York Times

Former Professor at The Fashion Institute of Technology.

The New York Times

Former professor at FIT. Proud member of NYS Teachers AssociationNYS Teachers Association

The New York Times

"That was in Chinua's last book," the former professor said.

The Guardian - Books

The late David Blackwell, former professor of mathematics and statistics.

University of California, Berkeley

Vincent, a former professor was loud and boastful and was becoming unbearable to Isobel.

The New Yorker

Sierocka, his former professor, says that Bala, in reality, was always "kind, energetic, hardworking, and principled".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "former professor", ensure the context clarifies when and where the individual held the professorship to provide better context and credibility. For instance, "former professor of history at Yale University" is more informative than just "former professor".

Common error

Avoid implying the "former professor" is still affiliated with the institution where they previously taught unless it's explicitly stated or implied through context. Using phrases like "visiting scholar" or "professor emeritus" can clarify their current status if they are still involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former professor" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or appositive to identify or describe someone who previously held the position of a professor. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which shows numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "former professor" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase to describe someone who previously held a professorship. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and professional settings. When using this phrase, clarity is key; providing additional details about the individual's area of expertise and the institution where they taught can enhance the context. Alternatives such as "ex-professor" or "retired professor" may be suitable depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-professor

Uses a prefix to indicate a previous role as a professor; slightly more informal.

past professor

A simple and direct way to indicate someone who previously held a professorship.

previous professor

Is simply a different way to say former professor.

retired professor

Implies the professor left their position due to retirement.

previously a professor

A more descriptive phrase indicating prior professorship.

one-time professor

Emphasizes that the individual was a professor at some point in the past.

once a professor

Similar to "one-time professor", highlighting a past role.

professor emeritus

An honorary title granted to retired professors, recognizing their distinguished service.

former faculty member

A broader term that encompasses professors and other teaching staff.

late professor

Indicates that the person who was a professor is now deceased.

FAQs

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

You can use "former professor" to describe someone who previously held a professorship. For example: "The lecture was given by a "former professor" of economics from Harvard."

What's the difference between "former professor" and "professor emeritus"?

"Former professor" simply indicates someone who used to be a professor. "Professor emeritus", on the other hand, is an honorary title given to retired professors for their distinguished service to the university.

What can I say instead of "former professor"?

Alternatives include "ex-professor", "retired professor", or "past professor" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "former professor" in formal writing?

Yes, "former professor" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to indicate someone's previous occupation. Just make sure to add more details about the subject and university when possible.