its former self

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its former self" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has changed significantly from a previous state, often implying a decline or loss of quality. Example: "After the renovations, the building is no longer its former self; it has lost much of its original charm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's not its former self, it's limping along.

Yale University

However it started, it's now a shell of its former self.

Huffington Post

Today, although the IPO market is reviving, it remains a shadow of its former self.

The Economist

It still stands, though a shadow of its former self.

The New Yorker

"The way it is now, Sandy Ground is just a ghost of its former self.

The New Yorker

It doesn't matter if Yahoo is a shadow of its former self.

Huffington Post

By next Halloween, it will have vanished into not even a ghost of its former self.

Huffington Post

Nagasaki became a shadow of its former self.

Harvard University

MySpace is barely a shadow of its former self.

The Economist

Outside, the beach is a shadow of its former self.

The New York Times

Nokia is a shadow of its former self.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "its former self" when you want to emphasize a significant decline or change in something's condition or quality over time. It is particularly effective when contrasting the present state with a more glorious or functional past.

Common error

Avoid using "its former self" for minor or superficial changes. This phrase implies a substantial and often negative transformation, so ensure the context warrants such a strong expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "its former self" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object. It describes something that has undergone a significant change, usually implying a decline from a previous, better state. Ludwig shows multiple examples where this phrase modifies nouns, emphasizing a transformation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "its former self" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that has significantly changed, often for the worse, compared to its past state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, this expression evokes nostalgia or highlights decline. When using the phrase, ensure the context warrants the implication of a substantial, often negative, transformation. Alternative phrasing such as "a shadow of its past" or "not what it used to be", can offer similar but nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shadow of its past

This alternative emphasizes the diminished state compared to the past.

not what it used to be

This phrase is a common and direct way to express decline or change.

a ghost of its former glory

This alternative highlights the loss of past success or splendor.

a mere shell of its old self

Focuses on the reduced or weakened state, like an empty shell.

degenerated from its original state

Emphasizes the process of decline from an earlier condition.

fallen from grace

Implies a loss of status or favor, a downturn in condition.

lost its original luster

Focuses on the loss of vibrancy or appeal.

a pale imitation of what it once was

This phrase underscores the inferior quality compared to the past.

nothing like it used to be

A colloquial and emphatic way to express significant change or decline.

declined significantly

This alternative simply indicates a notable reduction in quality or condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "its former self" to describe a person, place, or thing that has significantly declined or changed from its previous state. For example, "After the economic downturn, the city was a mere shadow of "its former self"".

What are some alternatives to "its former self"?

Alternatives include "a shadow of its past", "not what it used to be", or "a ghost of its former glory", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "its former self" is suitable for formal writing. It is a recognized and grammatically correct phrase that can effectively convey a sense of decline or transformation in a variety of contexts. However, consider if a more descriptive phrase might be more impactful.

What is the difference between "its former self" and "its past self"?

"Its former self" generally implies a negative change or decline, whereas "its past self" is a more neutral reference to a previous state. For example, someone might say "The company is a shadow of "its former self"" to indicate decline, but "The athlete is striving to surpass "its past self"" to indicate improvement.