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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Former: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：previous (former)

former 🔊

/ˈfɔːrmər/

adj./pron.

Used to describe something or someone from an earlier time, or the first of two things mentioned.

Illustration of a former president looking at a portrait of their past self.

previous 🔊

➕

/ˈpriːviəs/

adj./pron.

Describes something that existed, held a position, or was true in the past but is not now.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English ‘forma’ (first), related to ‘fore’ (before). Comparative form meaning ‘more before’.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'former' as 'before-mer' or 'first in time.' It's the one that came before.

📖 Example

The former president visited the university to give a speech about climate change. 🔊 The previous president visited the university to give a speech about climate change.

🔗 Collocations

former colleague – A person who was a co-worker in a past job.

former glory – The past splendor or greatness of something.

in former times – In the past; in earlier periods.

🔄 Synonyms

previous (adj.) – Existing or occurring before in time or order.

earlier (adj.) – Happening or done before the present time or the time in question.

one-time (adj.) – Former; that was once but is no longer.

🚫 Antonyms

current (adj.) – Belonging to the present time; happening or being used now.

present (adj.) – Existing or occurring now.

latter (adj.) – Occurring or situated nearer to the end of something than to the beginning.

🌱 Derivatives

formerly (adv.) – In the past; in earlier times.

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from the Old English word 'forma,' meaning 'first.' In legal and formal writing, 'the former' and 'the latter' are standard terms to avoid repetition when referring back to two previously mentioned items, ensuring precision and clarity.

Meaning 2：the first one mentioned (former)

former 🔊

/ˈfɔːrmər/

adj./pron.

A pronoun used to refer to the first of two things or people that have just been mentioned.

Diagram showing the former (apple) and the latter (orange) on a balance scale.

the first one mentioned 🔊

➕

/ðə ˈfɜːrst wʌn ˈmenʃənd/

adj./pron.

A pronoun used to refer back to the first of two items, people, or groups that have just been mentioned.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

We can travel to Paris or London. I prefer the former because I love French culture. 🔊 We can travel to Paris or London. I prefer the first one mentioned because I love French culture.

🔗 Collocations

the former – Used as a pronoun to refer to the first of two things mentioned.

🔄 Synonyms

the first (pron.) – The one mentioned or occurring before another.

the first-named (adj.) – The one that is named first in a list or pair.

🚫 Antonyms

the latter (pron.) – The second of two things or people mentioned.