English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
WAS A FORMER or IS A FORMER?
Ibrahim Babangida ~was a former head of state~ of Nigeria (nonstandard).
Ibrahim Babangida *is a former head of state* of Nigeria (standard).
Ibrahim Babangida *was a Nigerian head of state* (standard).
Note that the adjective, “former”, should not be used with the past tense verb, “was” if the person being described is still alive.
Sanni Abacha ~is a former head of state~ of Nigeria (nonstandard).
Sanni Abacha *was a former head of state* of Nigeria (standard).
The adjective, “former”, can be used with the past tense to tell that the person in question is late.
GAB
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