former science

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former science" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a field of science that was once recognized or practiced but is no longer considered valid or relevant. Example: "In the past, alchemy was regarded as a former science that laid the groundwork for modern chemistry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Meanwhile, the former Science minister, Lord Willetts, confessed to feeling "romantic" about Britain's spacefaring future.

Independent

Scientology was founded in 1952 by a former science fiction writer, L Ron . Hubbard

Independent

Wanted: 50 former science majors with an interest in teaching — no experience, please — and a willingness to relocate.

The New York Times

Ron Bonn San Diego, Aug. 15, 2010 The writer is a former science producer for network evening newscasts.

The New York Times

Or Gina Cooper, a former science teacher who organized the convention of liberal bloggers that became Netroots Nation.

The New York Times

"He managed to persuade the heavyweights," Frederic Golden, a former science writer and editor at Time and Discover, said.

The New York Times

Lord David Sainsbury, the former science minister, also heir to the supermarket chain and John Sainsbury's cousin, gave £1m.

The Guardian

"They are absolutely beautiful," said Stanley Teitel, Stuyvesant's principal and a former science teacher, envisioning a research project.

The New York Times

Universities remain, in the words of Kiyoshi Kurokawa, a former science adviser to the cabinet, "insular, hierarchical and male-dominated".

The New York Times

"My friends said I was mad when I started rowing," said the 22-year-old former science student.

The Guardian

Now it has a political programme, The Geek Manifesto by Mark Henderson, a former science editor of the Times.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "former science", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the individual's current role or field is. This provides a clearer picture of their career progression or shift in focus.

Common error

Avoid using "former science" without specifying the field if it's not immediately obvious. For instance, instead of saying "He's a former science professional", specify "He's a former science teacher".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former science" functions primarily as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate a past association with science. It's frequently used to describe someone's previous profession or a scientific field that has been superseded, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former science" is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe a past affiliation with science, often in the context of a person's previous role or an outdated scientific field. While versatile, it's best practice to provide specific details about the area of science for clarity. Alternatives like "previous science" or "past science" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, this phrase is a reliable way to convey prior scientific connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous science

Replaces "former" with "previous", emphasizing the temporal aspect of something that came before.

bygone science

Uses "bygone" to indicate something belonging to an earlier time or era, emphasizing that it is no longer current.

erstwhile science

Replaces "former" with "erstwhile", a more formal synonym indicating a past status.

past science

Uses "past" to simply indicate that the science is no longer the present or current science.

defunct science

Emphasizes that the scientific field or practice is no longer in use or existence.

obsolete science

Indicates that the science is out of date and no longer applicable.

retired science

Suggests that the science is no longer actively pursued or practiced.

outdated science

Emphasizes the lack of currency and relevance of the scientific field.

superseded science

Highlights that the science has been replaced by newer, more advanced knowledge.

discredited science

Suggests that the scientific field or practice has been proven false or unreliable.

FAQs

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

You can use "former science" to describe a person's previous profession or a scientific field that is no longer current. For example, "She is a "former science teacher" turned novelist" or "Alchemy is considered a "discredited science" today.

What's a good alternative to "former science"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "previous science", "past science", or "bygone science". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify the area of science when using "former science"?

While not always necessary, specifying the area of science adds clarity. For instance, saying "former science editor" is more informative than simply "former science professional".

How does "former science" differ from "obsolete science"?

"Former science" usually refers to a person's previous field, while "obsolete science" indicates a scientific field or practice that is no longer current or accepted. The focus is different: people vs practices.