The phrases former and latter are used to tell apart between two issues talked about in a sentence. The foundations for utilizing former versus latter in your writing are easy in contrast with different tough phrases: Former directs us to the primary of the 2 issues, and latter directs us to the second (or final) of them.
To keep away from confusion, don’t use former or latter when writing about greater than two issues.
We’ll go extra in depth on how one can use former and latter, and supply tricks to bear in mind the distinction between the 2.
What are the definitions of former and latter?
Former and latter are phrases that sound old style to some folks, and certainly they’re very outdated phrases.
Former means “the primary of the 2.” It comes from the Outdated English phrase “forma,” that means “first or “earliest in time or order,” in response to the On-line Etymology Dictionary. The unique definition goes again to the mid–twelfth century and altered across the late 1500s to its present that means.
Former also can imply “earlier” or be used to confer with a previous state.
Latter has an identical historical past and comes from the Outdated English phrase lætra, or “late.” Its definition would additionally change on the latter half of the 1500s to “second of the 2.”
Latter also can imply “located or occurring nearer to the tip of one thing than to the start,” in response to the Oxford English Dictionary.
When to make use of former and latter
Former and latter are used to confer with one in all two folks, locations, or issues talked about earlier in a sentence. Each are noun phrases used to face in for a beforehand talked about noun, so it’s important to place the particular article the earlier than utilizing both. Use former when you’re referring to the primary of the 2 issues, and use latter when you’re referring to the second of the 2 issues.
You shouldn’t use former or latter in case your checklist comprises greater than two issues or once you’re utilizing bullet lists. In these cases, it’s finest to say the primary or the third to confer with a selected selection.
Examples of former in a sentence
Listed below are 5 examples of how one can use former in a sentence:
- The host gave us a selection between burgers and sizzling canine. I selected the former.
- Gwen spent a whole lot of time deciding between Harvard and Yale, however in the long run went with the former.
- The former boss was stricter than our present supervisor.
- I like mountaineering and swimming; the former is my favourite passion.
- We are able to do that the straightforward means or the exhausting means. I’d choose the former if I had been you.
Examples of latter in a sentence
Listed below are 5 examples of how one can use latter in a sentence:
- If I had to decide on between vanilla or chocolate ice cream, I’d go together with the latter.
- We may both wait on the airport or get a rental automobile and drive the remainder of the best way. I want the latter possibility.
- The New York Yankees and New York Mets each have nice stadiums, however the latter has higher meals choices.
- Their first automobile was both going to be a hatchback or a pick-up truck. They went with the latter as a result of it had extra cargo house.
- I’m an even bigger fan of the songs on the latter half of the album.
Former and latter as adjectives
Though they’re generally used as noun phrases, former and latter can be used as adjectives.
As an adjective, former can imply “earlier” or confer with a previous state. You may additionally hear somebody confer with a crew or group’s former glory, which refers to a time once they had been higher than they’re now.
I’m nonetheless good associates with my former coworkers.
Latter can be utilized as an adjective to confer with the later a part of a time frame, normally towards the tail-end or second half. The third and fourth quarters of an NBA basketball recreation participate within the recreation’s latter half, and Thanksgiving and Christmas happen in the latter half of the yr.
Former and latter as noun phrases
Former and latter are noun phrases, or a phrase that stands in for a beforehand talked about noun. A noun phrase is used to supply additional element or clarification a couple of noun, and on this case the noun phrases former and latter are used to make clear which noun an individual has picked.
Use the particular article the earlier than a noun phrase to make clear the noun’s identification to the reader. Utilizing an indefinite article, similar to an, implies that the noun’s identification is unknown or is common.
We had been caught between the poodle and the golden retriever. Ultimately, our hearts instructed us to undertake the previous.
The dessert choices had been cannolis or ice cream, and I picked the latter as a result of I’m not a lot of a pastry particular person.
Methods to bear in mind the distinction between former and latter
There’s a simple solution to bear in mind the distinction between former and latter: Have a look at the letters they begin with. Former begins with f, as in first, and latter begins with l, as in final.
Former vs. latter FAQs
What are the meanings of former and latter?
Former means “the primary of the 2.” Former also can imply “earlier.” Latter means “second of the 2.”
When must you use former vs. latter?
Use former when you’re referring to the primary of the 2 issues, and use latter when you’re referring to the second of the 2 issues. Each are noun phrases used to face in for a beforehand talked about noun, so it’s important to place the particular article the earlier than utilizing both.
How do you bear in mind the distinction between former and latter?
Former, just like the phrase first, begins with f—it refers to the very first thing. Latter, just like the phrase final, begins with l—it refers to the very last thing.
