Current vs. Former — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 4, 2024
"Current" refers to something happening now or belonging to the present time, whereas "former" describes something that happened in the past or was previously in place.
Difference Between Current and Former
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Current" is used to describe ongoing events, situations, or possessions that are relevant to the present moment. For instance, a current job refers to one's present employment. In contrast, "former" points to a time or state that has passed, such as a former president, indicating someone who once held the position but does so no longer.
When talking about technology, a current model of a smartphone implies the most recent or latest version available on the market. On the other hand, a former model would be an older version that has been superseded by newer releases. This distinction highlights not only temporal differences but also potential advancements and improvements.
In relationships or roles, describing someone as a current partner or leader emphasizes that the person holds the position at this time. Conversely, labeling someone as a former partner or leader signifies that the individual previously occupied the role but does not anymore, which might reflect changes in personal connections or organizational structures.
The usage of "current" and "former" can also indicate the relevance or validity of information. Current news is information that is up-to-date, reflecting the latest developments. Meanwhile, former news might refer to stories or data that were relevant at a previous time but may not accurately represent the present circumstances.
Understanding the distinction between "current" and "former" is crucial in accurately conveying time-related aspects of objects, roles, or situations. It helps in providing clear and precise communication, especially in contexts where timing and sequence are significant, such as in legal, historical, or academic discussions.
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Comparison Chart
Time Reference
Present moment or very recent past
Past, not presently occurring
Relevance
Indicates ongoing relevance or activity
Indicates past relevance or activity
Application
Used to describe present roles, technology, or situations
Used to describe past roles, technology, or situations
Implication
Suggests continuation or recency
Suggests cessation or historical context
Example Context
Current trends, current president
Former traditions, former president
Compare with Definitions
Current
Pertaining to the present time.
The current issue of the magazine features a famous athlete.
Former
Preceding; previous.
In his former job, he traveled extensively.
Current
The flow of electricity through a conductor.
The device measures the current flowing through the circuit.
Former
Having previously filled a particular role or been a particular thing.
The former president will attend the ceremony.
Current
Now in progress or consideration.
Our current project aims to improve community health.
Former
No longer existing or functioning.
The site of the former factory is now a park.
Current
Holding a specified position at this time.
The current CEO has implemented many positive changes.
Former
The first of two mentioned.
Between coffee and tea, she prefers the former.
Current
The most recent data or information available.
According to current data, the population has increased.
Former
Relating to a previous period or state.
The building's former glory has been restored.
Current
Belonging to the present time; happening or being used or done now
Keep abreast of current events
I started my current job in 2001
Former
A former is an object, such as a template, gauge or cutting die, which is used to form something such as a boat's hull. Typically, a former gives shape to a structure that may have complex curvature.
Current
A body of water or air moving in a definite direction, especially through a surrounding body of water or air in which there is less movement
Ocean currents
Former
One that forms; a maker or creator
A former of ideas.
Current
A flow of electricity which results from the ordered directional movement of electrically charged particles
This completes the circuit so that a current flows to the lamp
Magnetic fields are produced by currents flowing in the cables
Former
A member of a school form
A fifth former.
Current
The general tendency or course of events or opinion
The student movement formed a distinct current of protest
Former
The first of two persons or things mentioned
"The army was pulling itself together, the government was coming apart. The success of the former was continually imperiled by the failure of the latter" (Garry Wills).
Current
Belonging to the present time; present-day
Current events.
Current leaders.
My current address.
Former
Relating to or taking place in the past
In former times.
Current
Being in progress now
Current negotiations.
Former
Having been so in the past
A former ambassador.
His former boss.
Current
Commonly accepted or used; prevalent
Current fashions.
Current technology.
Former
Being the first of two mentioned.
Current
Passing from one to another; circulating, as money or a rumor
Current bills and coins.
Former
Previous.
A former president;
The former East Germany
Current
Running; flowing.
Former
First of aforementioned two items. Used with the, often without a noun.
The former is a good idea but the latter is not.
We have two cars, a red one and a blue one. We won the former on a game show.
Current
A steady, smooth onward flow or movement
A current of air from a fan.
A current of spoken words.
Former
Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.
Dave was the former of the company.
Current
The part of a body of liquid or gas that has a continuous onward movement
Rowed out into the river's swift current.
Former
An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die.
The brick arch was built using a wooden former.
Current
A general tendency, movement, or course.
Former
Someone in, or of, a certain form (class).
Current
A flow of electric charge.
Former
One who forms; a maker; a creator.
Current
The amount of electric charge flowing past a specified circuit point per unit time, usually expressed in amperes.
Former
A shape around which an article is to be shaped, molded, woven wrapped, pasted, or otherwise constructed.
Current
The generally unidirectional movement of a gas or fluid.
Former
Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior; earlier; hence, ancient; long past.
For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age.
The latter and former rain.
Current
The part of a fluid that moves continuously in a certain direction, especially (oceanography) nocap=a.
Former
Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a discourse or argument.
Current
(electricity) the amount of electric charge flowing in each unit of time.
Former
Earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first mentioned.
A bad author deserves better usage than a bad critic; a man may be the former merely through the misfortune of an ill judgment; but he can not be latter without both that and an ill temper.
Current
A tendency or a course of events
Former
The first of two or the first mentioned of two;
Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today
Current
Existing or occurring at the moment.
Current events
Current leaders
Current negotiations
Former
Referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several);
The novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one
Current
Generally accepted, used, practiced, or prevalent at the moment.
Current affairs
Current bills and coins
Current fashions
Former
Belonging to some prior time;
Erstwhile friend
Our former glory
The once capital of the state
Her quondam lover
Current
(India) Electric; of or relating to electricity.
Current bill
Current shock
Former
(used especially of persons) of the immediate past;
The former president
Our late President is still very active
The previous occupant of the White House
Current
(obsolete) Running or moving rapidly.
Former
Of the distant past;
The early inhabitants of Europe
Former generations
In other times
Current
Running or moving rapidly.
Like the current fire, that rennethUpon a cord.
To chase a creature that was current thenIn these wild woods, the hart with golden horns.
Current
Now passing, as time; as, the current month.
Current
Passing from person to person, or from hand to hand; circulating through the community; generally received; common; as, a current coin; a current report; current history.
That there was current money in Abraham's time is past doubt.
Your fire-new stamp of honor is scarce current.
His current value, which is less or more as men have occasion for him.
Current
Commonly estimated or acknowledged.
Current
Fitted for general acceptance or circulation; authentic; passable.
O Buckingham, now do I play the touchTo try if thou be current gold indeed.
Current
A flowing or passing; onward motion. Hence: A body of fluid moving continuously in a certain direction; a stream; esp., the swiftest part of it; as, a current of water or of air; that which resembles a stream in motion; as, a current of electricity.
Two such silver currents, when they join,Do glorify the banks that bound them in.
The surface of the ocean is furrowed by currents, whose direction . . . the navigator should know.
Current
General course; ordinary procedure; progressive and connected movement; as, the current of time, of events, of opinion, etc.
Current
A flow of electricity through a conductor;
The current was measured in amperes
Current
A steady flow (usually from natural causes);
The raft floated downstream on the current
He felt a stream of air
Current
Dominant course (suggestive of running water) of successive events or ideas;
Two streams of development run through American history
Stream of consciousness
The flow of thought
The current of history
Current
Occurring in or belonging to the present time;
Current events
The current topic
Current negotiations
Current psychoanalytic theories
The ship's current position
Common Curiosities
How does "current" relate to news or information?
It denotes information that is up-to-date or relevant to the present time.
Is a "former" employee someone who might return to the same job?
Typically, "former" suggests the person has moved on, though rehiring is not impossible.
What does "current" imply in a job position?
It implies the person presently holds the position.
Can "former" refer to anything still existing?
No, "former" indicates that the subject no longer exists in the same form or function.
Can an object be both "current" and "former"?
No, these terms are mutually exclusive based on their time references.
Can a "former" relationship be rekindled?
Yes, but it would then be described in terms reflecting its current status.
How does "current" apply to technology?
It refers to the latest or most recent technology available.
What is a "former" name?
It’s a name previously used by someone or something, indicating a change.
How is "current" used in electricity?
It describes the flow of electric charge through a conductor.
Does "former" always relate to something negative?
No, "former" neutrally denotes something from the past, without a positive or negative connotation.
Can "current events" become "former" news?
Yes, as time progresses, what is now current will eventually be regarded as past news.
Is "current" employment the same as "permanent" employment?
Not necessarily; "current" simply means now, while "permanent" refers to the job’s nature.
How do "current" and "former" apply to legal documents?
They indicate the document's validity or applicability in relation to the present time or past.
What does "former" imply about a building's use?
It suggests the building was previously used for a different purpose.
What distinguishes a "current" trend from a "former" trend?
A current trend is actively observed in the present, whereas a former trend has faded or changed.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
