previous partner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous partner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a former romantic or business associate in various contexts. Example: "After the breakup, she found it difficult to move on from her previous partner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(The league's previous partner, Fox, had been paying just twenty-three million a year).

The New Yorker

When his previous partner died, he was left out in the cold and was very upset.

The Guardian

Goldman named 84 new partners this year, more than its previous partner class two years ago.

The New York Times

She had decided to rekindle a relationship with her previous partner, Ashley Cooke.

The Guardian

It chronicles Hayes's move to New York after a previous partner dies, and his romance with Sacks.

The New Yorker

Berkowitz's previous partner, Larry Cohen, has retired from top-level competition, and Sontag and Roger Bates had terminated their partnership.

The New York Times

(He has two sons and one daughter with his wife, and another daughter with a previous partner).

The New Yorker

However open-minded, a bereaved partner may take umbrage when a previous partner is given primacy as lover or muse.

The Guardian - Books

Several years earlier, on the eve of her wedding to a previous partner, three of her brothers were killed and her mother injured in a car crash.

The Guardian - Books

Daniel and James were the family's third set of twins: Errol and Alyson each already had a set with a previous partner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But it also means tracking down previous partners to warn them.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previous partner" when you need to distinguish between a past and present relationship or collaboration.

Common error

Avoid using "previous partner" without sufficient context. If the type of relationship is unclear, specify it (e.g., "previous business partner" or "previous romantic partner") to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous partner" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig examples show it referring to former romantic relationships, business collaborations, or professional associations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous partner" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a former associate in either a romantic or business context. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread use across diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and general reference materials. Alternative phrases such as "former partner" or "ex-partner" can be used interchangeably depending on the specific nuance desired. When using "previous partner", ensure that the context makes clear the nature of the relationship to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

former partner

Replaces "previous" with "former", emphasizing the past nature of the partnership.

ex-partner

Uses "ex-" as a prefix, indicating a terminated relationship.

past partner

Substitutes "previous" with "past", highlighting that the partnership is no longer current.

prior partner

Replaces "previous" with "prior", indicating the partnership came before the current one.

earlier partner

Uses "earlier" instead of "previous", stressing the temporal aspect of the partnership.

preceding partner

Replaces "previous" with "preceding", emphasizing the order in which the partnerships occurred.

one-time partner

Highlights that the partnership occurred once and is now over.

bygone partner

Uses "bygone" to convey that the partnership is a thing of the past.

erstwhile partner

Replaces "previous" with "erstwhile", indicating a past or former role.

defunct partnership

Focuses on the dissolved state of the partnership.

FAQs

How do I use "previous partner" in a sentence?

You can use "previous partner" to refer to someone with whom you had a relationship or collaboration in the past. For example: "She remained friends with her previous partner." or "The company sued a previous partner for breach of contract."

What's a good alternative to "previous partner"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "former partner", "ex-partner", or "past partner".

Is it correct to say "prior partner" instead of "previous partner"?

Yes, "prior partner" is a suitable alternative to "previous partner". Both terms indicate a partner that existed before the current one.

What's the difference between "previous partner" and "current partner"?

"Previous partner" refers to someone you were involved with in the past, while "current partner" refers to someone you are presently involved with. The key difference is the timing of the relationship.