former
/ˈfɔːmə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɔːrmər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfȯr-mər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfɔː.mər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɔːr.mɚ/ (ame, ipa) · /-fɔː.mər/ (bre, ipa) · /-fɔːr.mɚ/ (ame, ipa)
former — adjective
- formerpositive
- formerercomparative
- formerestsuperlative
1. used for describing someone or something that had a particular job, position, re
used for describing someone or something that had a particular job, position, relationship, or role at an earlier time but no longer has it
Omar met his former teacher at the market last Saturday.
former + teacher, boss, colleague — previous role nouns
The former president spoke at the university about climate change.
Rania still exchanges holiday cards with her former colleagues.
The old factory building was a former school before it closed down.
Christopher ran into his former landlord at the grocery store.
- previous
emphasises order in a sequence (previous job = the one right before the current one)
- past
broader in scope; can describe a whole period rather than a single role
- ex-
informal and strongly associated with romantic partners or quick labels
- one-time
slightly more formal; stresses that the role was temporary
文法句型
former + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Cannot be used alone as a predicate (*He is former). For the contrasting pair 'the former…the latter', see sense 2.
常見錯誤
2. identifying the first item among two people, things, or options that were stated
identifying the first item among two people, things, or options that were stated earlier, often to set up a clear contrast with the second one
Between cycling and swimming, Maeve prefers the former activity.
the former + noun — contrasting two items
The store offered two plans, and the former was a lot cheaper.
Arjun had to pick between law school and medical school and chose the former.
Of the two candidates, the former had more experience but the latter was more energetic.
- first-mentioned
more explicit but less common in everyday speech
- first
simpler and works for any number of items
- latter
the second of the two items being contrasted
文法句型
the former + noun
用法筆記
Always paired with the definite article 'the'. Frequently contrasts with 'the latter' later in the same sentence or passage. This sense does not work with more than two items — use 'the first' instead for lists of three or more.
常見錯誤
former — noun
1. the person, thing, or choice that comes first in a pair that has already been re
the person, thing, or choice that comes first in a pair that has already been referred to in a conversation or piece of writing
Élise had to pick between Paris and Tokyo and chose the former.
the former — pronoun referring back to first of two
The former is a much safer option for students on a tight budget.
Between skiing and swimming, the former is more dangerous for beginners.
Between the red dress and the blue dress, the former costs a little more.
- first one
simpler and works with any position in any list
- first-mentioned item
more formal but very clear
- latter
the second of the two items just mentioned
文法句型
the former
用法筆記
Functions as a pronoun replacing the noun phrase for the first item. Always requires 'the'. Typically appears with 'the latter' in the same sentence or paragraph to complete the contrast. Unlike the adjective sense, 'the former' stands alone without a following noun.
常見錯誤
former — suffix
1. added to a number to show which school year group a student belongs to in an edu
added to a number to show which school year group a student belongs to in an educational system where classes are organised into numbered forms
Sivan is a fifth-former at a secondary school in Manchester.
[number]-former — compound noun for school year
All first-formers must wear the school's blue uniform jacket.
The sixth-formers are busy preparing for their university applications.
Nadia's brother is a fourth-former and plays on the school rugby team.
文法句型
[number]-former
用法筆記
Primarily used in British school systems where year groups are called 'forms'. The compound is written as a single hyphenated word (e.g., first-former, sixth-former). 'Sixth-former' is the most common since the sixth form (ages 16-18) is a distinct stage before university.