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Why do we sometimes say “former” and other times say “ex?”
He’s my ex-boyfriend.
He’s my former boyfriend.
What is the difference? What should the difference be?
#linguistics #words
@Deacon That’s what I was thinking. But we use them interchangeably all the time as in with former president and ex-president.
@AlliFlowers in that instance, it's understandable. Perhaps more the relation itself. An 'ex' is personal and directly connected vs. someone you don't know (former president, former head of XYZ Company, etc.)
@Deacon That seems like a good rule.
@AlliFlowers I haven't heard anyone refer to an 'ex' as 'former.' The word itself feels like you're referring to a deceased person... Maybe when someone is 'dead to you?'