When to Use “Former” vs. “Latter,” With Examples

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 you can use former and latter, and supply tricks to keep 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 previous phrases.

Former means “the primary of the 2.” It comes from the Previous English phrase “forma,” that means “first or “earliest in time or order,” based on the On-line Etymology Dictionary. The unique definition goes again to the mid–twelfth century and adjusted across the late 1500s to its present that means.

Former also can imply “earlier” or be used to check with a previous state.

Latter has an analogous historical past and comes from the Previous 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 top of one thing than to the start,” based on the Oxford English Dictionary.

When to make use of former and latter

Former and latter are used to check with one in every of 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 listing comprises greater than two issues or whenever you’re utilizing bullet lists. In these cases, it’s finest to say the primary or the third to check with a specific selection.

Examples of former in a sentence

Listed below are 5 examples of how you can use former in a sentence:

• The host gave us a selection between burgers and scorching canine. I selected the former.
• Gwen spent numerous 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 climbing and swimming; the former is my favourite passion.
• We are able to do that the simple approach or the arduous approach. I’d decide the former if I had been you.

Examples of latter in a sentence

Listed below are 5 examples of how you 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 might both wait on the airport or get a rental automotive and drive the remainder of the way in which. I desire the latter possibility.
• The New York Yankees and New York Mets each have nice stadiums, however the latter has higher meals choices.
• Their first automotive 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 area.
• I’m a much 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 check with a previous state. You might also hear somebody check with a workforce or group’s former glory, which refers to a time after they had been higher than they’re now.

I’m nonetheless good mates with my former coworkers.

Latter can be utilized as an adjective to check with the later a part of a time frame, often 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 12 months.

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 offer 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 id to the reader. Utilizing an indefinite article, similar to an, implies that the noun’s id is unknown or is common.

We had been caught between the poodle and the golden retriever. Ultimately, our hearts informed 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.

How one can keep in mind the distinction between former and latter

There’s a simple approach to keep 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 do you have to 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 keep 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.