We use 'former' to say something was true or someone was in a position before now. It shows time in the past.
She is a former student of this school.
My former job was very hard.
'Former' can also name a person who had a job or role before but not now. This use is less common but still seen.
The former will speak at the meeting.
Many formers attended the event.
In manufacturing, a 'former' is an object that makes things take a certain shape by holding or bending them.
The worker used a former to bend the metal.
A wooden former shaped the plastic parts.
When two things are talked about, 'the former' means the first one mentioned. It helps to compare two ideas or items.
The former is taller than the latter.
Between the two ideas, the former is better.
In grammar, a 'former' is the word or phrase a pronoun replaces, so the meaning is clear.
The former of the pronoun is clear.
English learners study the former carefully.
