former workers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former workers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who previously held a job or position but are no longer employed in that role. Example: "The company held a reunion for its former workers to celebrate their contributions over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Many former workers (especially women) remain poor.

The Guardian - Money

Former workers could not be found for comment on Monday.

The New York Times

The compensation is essentially a windfall for the former workers.

The Guardian

The teams also ensured that former workers were involved.

The Guardian

Three of those former workers said the companies were run with good attention to safety.

The New York Times

A string of former workers have sued the chain over withholding overtime pay.

The New York Times

Representatives of Barneys strongly disputed the accounts of the former workers.

The New York Times

"The young people you see hanging around are all former workers in the factories.

The Economist

When fewer former workers get aid, a company pays lower unemployment taxes.

The New York Times

The practice was known as "ratings arbitrage," according to former workers.

The New York Times

Other studies indicated higher rates of cancer and other diseases among former workers at the plant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "former workers", specify the context or company they previously worked for to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "former workers" without providing context about their previous employment. This can lead to confusion and lack of clarity for the reader. Instead, say "former factory workers" or "former employees of the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former workers" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a group of people who were previously employed. This is evident across numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former workers" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to individuals who were previously employed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While "former workers" is a neutral term, providing context about their previous employment enhances clarity. Alternatives include "ex-employees" and "previous staff members". When using this phrase, avoid overgeneralization and specify the industry or company the individuals were associated with.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-employees

A more concise and direct synonym.

previous employees

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of their past employment.

past employees

Similar to "previous employees", highlighting their former status.

former staff members

A more formal alternative using "staff members" instead of "workers".

previous staff

A shorter and more informal variant of "former staff members".

retired employees

Specifically refers to employees who have left due to retirement.

alumni

Implies a continued connection or affiliation with the organization.

departed employees

A more euphemistic and less direct way of referring to former employees.

out-of-work staff

Focuses on the current employment status of those who once worked for the organisation.

once employed staff

Highlights the past employment of the staff.

FAQs

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

You can use "former workers" to refer to people who used to be employed by a company or organization. For example: "The company held a reunion for its "former workers"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "former workers"?

You can use alternatives like "ex-employees", "previous employees", or "past employees" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "former workers" and "retired employees"?

"Former workers" is a general term for people who used to work somewhere, while "retired employees" specifically refers to people who have left their job due to retirement.

Is it correct to say "previously employed staff" instead of "former workers"?

Yes, "previously employed staff" is a correct, although more formal, alternative to ""former workers"". Both phrases refer to people who were employed by a company or organization in the past.