Previous? Former?
I wonder what's the differences between "former" and "previous".

I know how to use the two words to create sentences. However, I heard someone discussed the two words yesterday, I got confused. It means that I don't understand the definition of two words thoroughly. Is it possible to create sentences to make me understand easily? Many thanks in advance.

Question

Previous? Former?
I wonder what's the differences between "former" and "previous".

I know how to use the two words to create sentences. However,  I heard someone discussed the two words yesterday, I got confused. It means that I don't understand the definition of two words thoroughly. Is it possible to create sentences to make me understand easily? Many thanks in advance.

Answer

He’s a former senator. (He used to be a senator at some time in the past, but isn’t now)
He’s my former English teacher. (He used to be my English teacher. )
Who was your previous English teacher? (Who was your teacher before your current one?)
His previous move in the chess game was a blunder. (His last move)

They can be used interchangeably in certain constructions:
She’s his ex-girlfriend. (She once was his girlfriend)
She’s his former girlfriend. (She once was his girlfriend)
She’s a previous girlfriend. (She once was his girlfriend)
She’s his previous girlfriend. (She was his last girlfriend)

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