his former self

USAGE SUMMARY

"his former self" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to contrast a person's current state or behavior with what they used to be like in the past. For example, "Ever since his accident, he was not the same as his former self."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Was he now acknowledging his former self?

The New Yorker

— Poor Masculinity, he's but a shell of his former self.

The New York Times - Arts

Nelson performed as a shell of his former self.

The New York Times - Sports

She began to see glimmers of his former self.

Independent

Ali was a shell of his former self.

The Guardian - Sport

As a result, he has shown flashes of his former self and climbed into contention again.

The New York Times - Sports

Clean, Anders is a specter of his former self, visiting old haunts without being fully there.

The New York Times

A wisp of his former self after fourteen weeks in a dungeon, he remained a contrarian.

The New Yorker

He said: "This is a guy who is completely devastated, a shadow of his former self.

The Guardian

He was a hesitant, apologetic, and humbled shadow of his former self.

The Guardian

The Luke McCormick who appears before you today is a shadow of his former self".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "his former self" to draw a contrast between a person's present condition and their past capabilities, especially when highlighting a decline or transformation.

Common error

Avoid using "his former self" when simply referring to a person's current identity or actions. This phrase is best used when there's a clear change or difference to emphasize.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his former self" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It refers to the individual's past identity or state, contrasting it with their current one. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "his former self" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a contrast between a person's present and past state. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it commonly appears in news and media, with neutral register. It's crucial to use this phrase when you want to emphasize a change or decline in someone's character or condition. Remember to avoid confusing it with references to someone's current or typical state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and understood in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

his past self

A more concise and direct way of referring to someone's previous state, suitable for various contexts.

the man he was

This phrase has a similar meaning but it is more dramatic and emotional. It implies something was taken away from the subject of the sentence.

who he used to be

This alternative uses a more conversational tone to refer to someone's past identity or state.

the person he once was

This phrase emphasizes a definitive change in the individual, highlighting a clear distinction between their past and present.

how he used to be

Similar to "who he used to be" but with a focus on manner and behavior.

what he was like before

This option focuses on describing the individual's prior characteristics and behaviors.

his earlier persona

This alternative is suitable when discussing a public figure or someone known for a specific role or image.

his younger self

Specifically refers to a time when the person was younger, implying changes due to aging or experience.

his original identity

Useful when referring to a significant transformation, such as a change in name, role, or status.

the individual he once presented

This option is fitting when discussing how someone portrayed themself to the public, hinting at a possible difference between their real and presented selves.

FAQs

How can I use "his former self" in a sentence?

Use "his former self" to describe a notable difference between someone's past and present state, such as, "After the accident, he was merely a shadow of "his former self"".

What phrases are similar to "his former self"?

Similar phrases include "who he used to be", "the person he once was", and "his past self", which all convey a contrast between someone's past and present condition.

Is it appropriate to use "his former self" in formal writing?

Yes, "his former self" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, provided the context calls for a comparison between someone's past and present self. It is commonly seen in "news and media", as well as scientific publications.

What's the difference between "his former self" and "his usual self"?

"His former self" refers to how someone was in the past, implying a change has occurred. In contrast, "his usual self" describes someone's typical or normal state. For example, "He was not "his usual self" today" indicates a temporary deviation from his normal behavior, while "He was not "his former self" after the illness" indicates a long-lasting change.