from the former

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from the former" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that happened or existed in the past. For example, "She took some of her ideas from the former president."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Overlooking Edinburgh from the former Parliament building.

Harvard University

The latter rarely derives from the former.

The Guardian - Film

She was retired from the former Capital Blue Shield.

University of Pennsylvania

Doctors from the former army tend the wounded.

The Economist

Some 4m are ethnic Germans from the former communist block.

The Economist

The worst hazards arise from the former British Empire.

Independent

I'm inching away from the former and towards the latter.

Independent

The latter does not automatically follow from the former.

The Economist

During the past half century, the country has had more Presidents from the former Confederacy than from the former Union.

The New Yorker

More slightly comic guitar heroics from the former Darkness man.

The Guardian

The cast is largely from the former Soviet Union.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "from the former" in a sentence, ensure there is a clear reference to what "the former" is. Without a clear antecedent, the phrase loses its meaning and can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "from the former" without explicitly establishing what "the former" refers to. Ensure the context provides a clear antecedent to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from the former" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating origin, derivation, or relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to refer back to the first of two items previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "from the former" serves as a prepositional phrase to explicitly refer back to the first of two items or ideas previously mentioned, thereby ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in writing. As Ludwig AI validates, its use is grammatically correct and frequent across a variety of contexts including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While highly versatile, writers should ensure that "the former" has a clear and easily identifiable antecedent. Related phrases include "deriving from what preceded" and "stemming from the earlier one", each offering a slightly different nuance but all emphasizing the connection to something that existed prior. When used correctly, "from the former" enhances the precision and professionalism of written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deriving from what preceded

Focuses on the act of deriving or originating from a prior event or state.

originating in the past

Emphasizes the origin or starting point as being in the past.

stemming from the earlier one

Highlights the causal connection between a present situation and a prior one.

based on the initial instance

Indicates a foundation or reliance on a previous example or occurrence.

developing out of what was before

Suggests a process of growth or evolution from a prior condition.

as a result of the prior

Directly indicates a cause-and-effect relationship with something preceding it.

in light of the foregoing

Introduces a conclusion or action based on previously discussed information.

taking its lead from the precedent

Implies guidance or direction is being taken from a previous action or decision.

springing from the antecedent

Suggests a sudden or quick emergence from a preceding event or condition.

following on from the original

Indicates a sequential relationship, where something comes after and is connected to an origin.

FAQs

How can I use "from the former" in a sentence?

Use "from the former" to refer back to the first of two items or ideas previously mentioned. For example, "We discussed A and B; the advantages derived "from the former" are significant."

What is a good alternative to "from the former"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "deriving from what preceded", "originating in the past", or "stemming "from the earlier one"".

How does "from the former" compare to "from the latter"?

"From the former" refers to the first item mentioned, while "from the latter" refers to the second. Use them to clearly differentiate between two distinct elements in your writing.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state both items before using "from the former"?

Yes, for clarity, it's best to explicitly mention both items or concepts before using "from the former". This ensures the reader understands the reference without ambiguity.