previous wife

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous wife" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a woman who was married to someone before their current marriage. Example: "After the divorce, he maintained a cordial relationship with his previous wife for the sake of their children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The bridegroom's previous wife is deceased.

The New York Times - Style

By 2005, her father had grown closer to his previous wife, a Sunni, and their children.

The Washington Post

His previous wife, Adrienne, died in 1996 after undergoing plastic surgery.

The Guardian

She is Geraldine Young — not Louise Franklin Young, who was a previous wife.

The New York Times - Arts

His previous wife of 20 years, Katharine Landis of Logansport, Indiana, died in 1971.

The New York Times

A month before Miller was born, her father's previous wife, Marilyn Monroe, took her own life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Three previous wives predeceased him.

The New York Times

It is not lost on Bernita Bisek that Gingrich left his two previous wives.

The New Yorker

/ You murdered all / Your previous wives / And they are behind / The seventh door.

The Guardian - Music

She and their three children — John Jr., Fernando Augusto and Nina — survive him, as do his children with his previous wives.

The New York Times

BEIJING — Before they married in 2009, Tan Yong admitted to Li Yan that he had beaten his three previous wives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's marital history, use "previous wife" to clearly indicate a former spouse, especially when differentiating between multiple marriages. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity.

Common error

Avoid using informal terms like "old lady" or ambiguous phrases such as "the woman before" when referring to a "previous wife". Use precise language to prevent misinterpretation and maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous wife" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying a woman who was married to someone before their current spouse. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previous wife" is a grammatically correct and very common way to refer to a woman who was married to someone before their current marriage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, especially in news and media, where clarity and accuracy are essential. While alternatives like "former wife" or "ex-wife" exist, "previous wife" provides a clear and unambiguous way to discuss past marital relationships. It's important to avoid potentially confusing or informal terms and to maintain a respectful and accurate tone when discussing such sensitive topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

former wife

Replaces "previous" with "former", indicating a past marital relationship.

ex-wife

A more concise and commonly used term for a woman one was formerly married to.

prior wife

Uses "prior" instead of "previous", indicating a wife from an earlier time.

earlier wife

Synonymous with "previous wife", simply using 'earlier' for 'previous'.

wife from a previous marriage

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the context of a past marriage.

first wife

Specifies that she was the first among multiple wives, if applicable.

late wife

Indicates the wife is deceased.

wife before current one

Emphasizes the temporal sequence relative to the current wife.

wife from a past relationship

Broader term indicating a wife from a past relationship, not necessarily specifying marriage number.

divorced wife

Indicates the marriage ended in divorce.

FAQs

How can I use "previous wife" in a sentence?

You can use "previous wife" to refer to someone a person was married to before their current spouse. For example: "He remained friends with his "previous wife" for the sake of their children".

What are some alternatives to saying "previous wife"?

Alternatives include "former wife" or "ex-wife". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "former wife" or "previous wife"?

"Former wife" and ""previous wife"" are largely interchangeable. "Former" may sound slightly more formal, but both are acceptable in most contexts.

What is the difference between "previous wife" and "late wife"?

"Previous wife" simply indicates a wife from a past marriage, while "late wife" specifically refers to a wife who has died.