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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary
Former/ex
Hi,
I'm confused about the use of 'former' and 'ex-', what's the difference between them? For example:
Susan's boyfriend is Robert now and he's Susan's third boyfriend. John is Susan's second boyfriend and Tom is Susan's first boyfriend.
Can I say "John and Tom are Susan's former/ex-boyfriends"?
Can the two terms only be used for the immediate past?
Thanks.
I'm confused about the use of 'former' and 'ex-', what's the difference between them? For example:
Susan's boyfriend is Robert now and he's Susan's third boyfriend. John is Susan's second boyfriend and Tom is Susan's first boyfriend.
Can I say "John and Tom are Susan's former/ex-boyfriends"?
Can the two terms only be used for the immediate past?
Thanks.
Top answer
"John and Tom are Susan's former/ex-boyfriends" is fine. There's really no difference between "former" and "ex" here, except that maybe "ex-" is more informal.
- "John and Tom are Susan's former/ex-boyfriends" is fine.
- There's really no difference between "former" and "ex" here, except that maybe "ex-" is more informal.
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4 Answers
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"John and Tom are Susan's former/ex-boyfriends" is fine. There's really no difference between "former" and "ex" here, except that maybe "ex-" is more informal.
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Thanks, khoff for your answer.
Do I use 'former' and 'ex' in the sentences below correctly?
Bill Clinton is an ex-President of the United States.
George W. Bush is a former/ex-President of the U.S.
Do I use 'former' and 'ex' in the sentences below correctly?
Bill Clinton is an ex-President of the United States.
George W. Bush is a former/ex-President of the U.S.
00
I think those are both okay. "Former" is better for any sort of formal writing.
00
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