the former couple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the former couple" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to two people who were previously in a romantic relationship but are no longer together. Example: "The former couple was spotted having coffee together, sparking rumors of a possible reconciliation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On some elements, the former couple agreed.

The New York Times

The first visit drew the former couple closer.

The New York Times - Style

The former couple were sentenced to eight months each in prison over the affair.

Independent

Divorce ceremonies run the gamut, be it elaborate affairs witnessed by friends and family or vows spoken by the former couple (or half of the former couple) and, sometimes, their children.

The New York Times

The former couple are understood to have signed a pre-nuptial agreement when they wed in 2003.

Independent

For one thing, the former couple keeps doing things like contesting divorce settlements they agreed to weeks ago.

The Washington Post

Some definitions of cohabitation are dependent on probing to test the degree of commitment of the former couple in retrospect.

The Guardian - Opinion

The former couple have two teenage daughters, and David is marginally more forthcoming on the topic of fatherhood.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The former couple experienced problems very soon after getting married, as they rowed constantly and rarely saw one another due to their hectic schedules.

Independent

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin are the former couple whose entire relationship was instantly overshadowed by the two words used to describe their break-up: "consciously uncoupling".

Independent

In October, the former couple stood before a roaring fire at a lodge in Lakewood, Colo., with views of the Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Continental Divide.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the former couple" when you need a neutral and concise way to refer to a couple who are no longer together, especially in news or journalistic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "the former couple" when referring to a couple that is still together but experiencing difficulties; instead, use phrases like "the couple" or "the troubled couple".

Linguistic Context

The former couple functions as a noun phrase, specifically a determiner phrase, that identifies two individuals who were previously in a romantic relationship or marriage. Ludwig provides examples showing it used in news articles to describe past relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the former couple" is a commonly used phrase to refer to two people who were previously in a relationship but are no longer together. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and most frequently used in news and media contexts. Alternatives include phrases such as "the ex-couple" or "the previous couple", which may be suitable depending on the level of formality desired. It is important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that it reflects a past relationship and not a current one experiencing difficulties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the ex-couple

Replaces "former" with "ex-", a shorter and more informal term.

the previous couple

Substitutes "former" with "previous", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

the divorced couple

More specific, indicating the couple underwent a legal divorce.

the separated couple

Indicates the couple is living apart, but not necessarily divorced.

the one-time couple

Uses "one-time" to emphasize the past nature of the relationship.

the erstwhile couple

Employs "erstwhile", a more formal and less common synonym for "former".

the past couple

Uses "past" as a direct replacement for "former".

the broken-up couple

More descriptive, highlighting the end of the relationship.

the once-married couple

Specific to couples who were married but are no longer together.

the no-longer-together couple

A more explicit and slightly verbose way of stating the relationship has ended.

FAQs

How do you use "the former couple" in a sentence?

"The former couple" is used to refer to two people who were previously in a romantic relationship but are no longer together. Example: "The former couple was seen at the event, but they did not interact."

What's a more informal way to say "the former couple"?

A more informal alternative to "the former couple" is "the ex-couple". This phrase is commonly used in less formal contexts, such as casual conversations or blog posts.

Which is correct, "the former couple" or "the ex couple"?

Both "the former couple" and "the ex-couple" are correct, but they differ in formality. "The former couple" is more formal and typically used in journalistic or professional contexts, while "the ex-couple" is more informal.

What is the difference between "the former couple" and "the separated couple"?

"The former couple" simply indicates that the pair is no longer together, while "the separated couple" implies they are living apart but may not be formally divorced. The phrase to use depends on the specific situation.