The spelling of "in former" may seem confusing, but it can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The first syllable, "in," is pronounced /ɪn/, like the word "in." The second syllable, "for," is pronounced /fɔːr/, like the word "four." The final syllable, "mer," is pronounced /mər/, like the word "mur" but with a schwa sound. Therefore, "in former" is pronounced /ɪnˈfɔːr.mər/. It's important to use correct spelling and pronunciation to effectively communicate with others.
The term "in former" refers to a previous or past state or condition, often implying a contrast with the current or present state. It is primarily used as a prepositional phrase and is typically followed by the word "times" or a specific time period to indicate a historical context or era.
In its literal sense, "in former times" is often interchanged with "in the past" or "in earlier days" to describe a period that occurred prior to the present. It can be used to refer to a bygone era, emphasizing the notion of change or progress from a previous state to the current one. This expression can be found in various contexts, such as discussing cultural, social, or technological advancements, or comparing historical events to current situations.
Figuratively, "in former" can also describe a person's previous occupation, position, or status. For example, one might say "She was a teacher in former years" to highlight that the individual held a different profession in the past, highlighting a transition or change. Similarly, "in former times, he was a renowned artist" suggests that the person had achieved recognition as an artist in the past, but their current status may be different.
Overall, "in former" is a phrase that emphasizes the idea of a past state or previous circumstance, whether it pertains to a specific time period or a person's previous role or occupation.
The phrase "in former" does not have a specific etymology of its own. Instead, it is a combination of two distinct words: "in" and "former".
The word "in" is derived from Middle English and Old English "in(n), inne", which can be traced back to the Germanic root "inni", meaning "within" or "inside".
The word "former" comes from Middle English "formere", which originated from Old English "forma", meaning "first" or "earlier". It is related to the German word "vormals" and the Dutch word "voormaals".
When combined, the phrase "in former" is used to refer to something that occurred or existed in a previous time or period.