What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
former
Example
The former president of the company retired last year. [former: adjective]
Example
In her former life, she was a successful actress. [former: noun]
Example
His former girlfriend moved to another city. [former: adjective]
past
Example
The past few years have been difficult for him. [past: noun]
Example
She regrets her past mistakes. [past: adjective]
Example
He walked past the store without noticing it. [past: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Past is more commonly used than former in everyday language. Past is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while former is more limited in scope and is used less frequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between former and past?
Both former and past can be used in formal and informal contexts, but former may be perceived as more formal due to its limited usage and association with positions or titles.
