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I'm writing a document about my study progress. I'm about to refer to the tutor I had last year for a certain school subject that I didn't pass. So I have to write about catching up and handing in the work.

I'm not sure if the word 'former' can be used here, since I've got no tutor right now. Does former immediatly mean that you have to have a current one, like it's a previous one? Or is it ok to use it in the sense of this WAS my tutor, and I don't have one right now.

Matthijs van Hest
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1 Answers1

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'Former' is acceptable but the wording has to make it clear that the person is 'your former tutor' and not 'a former tutor' otherwise it might imply they are retired or deceased.

Other possibilities are one-time, erstwhile and quondam.

It would help of you gave some context. Who is this document to be read by?

chasly - supports Monica
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  • The document will (by coincidence) be read by the same person. If not, it will be read by another tutor or a mentor. Thanks for the answer. It looks complete. – Matthijs van Hest Sep 24 '15 at 10:00
  • Whilst I accept entirely what @deadrat said in his comments, I do think that it might be a little clearer if you spelt it out precisely by saying the person who was then my tutor. There does seem to be a little room for confusion by using former, especially as you say that the person reading it will be that very 'former tutor'. – WS2 Sep 24 '15 at 10:24