Former

/ˈfɔːrmər/

Spanish Translation

anterior

Part of Speech

  • adjective
  • noun

Word Forms

  • former
  • formerly

Etymology

From Old English forma, from Proto-Germanic *furmaz.

Del inglés antiguo forma, del protogermánico *furmaz.

Meanings

adjective

Having previously filled a particular role or position.

Que ha ocupado previamente un cargo o posición particular.

The former president.

El anterior presidente.

adjective

That used to be of a specified type; previous.

Que solía ser de un tipo específico; previo.

His former home.

Su anterior hogar.

noun

The first of two things just mentioned.

El primero de dos cosas recién mencionadas.

He mentioned coffee and tea; the former being his preference.

Mencionó café y té; siendo el primero su preferencia.

Example Sentences

The former champion is making a comeback.

El anterior campeón está regresando.

This is the former site of the factory.

Este es el sitio anterior de la fábrica.

Between John and Mary, the former is taller.

Entre Juan y María, el primero es más alto.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Phrases

  • In former times
    En tiempos anteriores
  • The former owner
    El anterior propietario
  • Former colleague
    Anterior colega

Idioms

  • Not what it used to be (similar in meaning, but not a direct idiom)
    No es lo que era
  • Pale in comparison to something (Related usage)
    Pálido en comparación con algo
  • Those were the days (Referring to a former, often better, time)
    Esos eran los días
  • Has-been (A former successful person)
    Un/a ex
  • Used to be (Expressing a former state)
    Solía ser

Proverbs

  • Don't count your chickens before they hatch. (Indirectly related)
    No vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo.
  • Everything has its season. (Referring to former times)
    Todo tiene su tiempo.
  • The good old days. (Nostalgia for former times)
    Los buenos tiempos.
  • Nothing stays the same. (Referring to change from a former state)
    Nada permanece igual.
  • What's done is done (Accepting a former action)
    Lo hecho, hecho está.

Usage Notes

Use 'former' to refer to the first of two things mentioned, and 'latter' for the second. It is often used to describe someone's previous role or status.

Use 'anterior' para referirse al primero de dos cosas mencionadas, y 'posterior' para el segundo. Se usa a menudo para describir el rol o estatus previo de alguien.

Notes for Learners

  • Remember to use 'the former' when referring to the first of two things.

    Recuerda usar 'el anterior' cuando te refieras al primero de dos cosas.

  • Be careful not to confuse 'former' with 'farmer'.

    Ten cuidado de no confundir 'anterior' con 'granjero'.

  • Pay attention to the context to understand the precise meaning of 'former'.

    Presta atención al contexto para comprender el significado preciso de 'anterior'.

Collocations

  • Former president
    Anterior presidente
  • Former employee
    Anterior empleado
  • Former glory
    Antigua gloria

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'former' with 'latter'

    Confundir 'anterior' con 'posterior'.

  • Using 'former' to refer to more than two items.

    Usar 'anterior' para referirse a más de dos elementos.

  • Incorrectly spelling 'former' as 'formar' in Spanish.

    Escribir incorrectamente 'anterior' como 'formar' en español.

Learning Tips

  • Use 'former' to clearly distinguish between two people or things mentioned.

    Usa 'anterior' para distinguir claramente entre dos personas o cosas mencionadas.

  • Avoid using 'former' when referring to more than two things; use other clarifying terms instead.

    Evita usar 'anterior' cuando te refieras a más de dos cosas; usa otros términos aclaratorios en su lugar.

  • Consider the context => ‘former’ is often replaceable with 'previous', which is more common.

    Considera el contexto => 'anterior' a menudo es reemplazable por 'previo', que es más común.