Former vs Latter
What’s the difference between them?
Former
Meaning:
Former is the first of two people or things mentioned, compared, or considered.
Examples:
1. I was a former student of the college.
2. My former employer was a large software company.
3. She was a former track star in high school.
Latter
Meaning:
The latter is the second of two people or things mentioned, compared, or considered.
Examples:
1. I chose between the two options, and decided to go with the latter.
2. The latter half of the movie was much more exciting than the first.
3. She preferred the latter of the two dresses.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Former
Previous
earlier
Latter
Latter
Later
second-mentioned
Former
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Former", "Latter".
1. To remember the difference, use this helpful mnemonic device: 'Former' starts with an 'F' and 'Latter' starts with an 'L,' so remembering that the 'F' comes first and the 'L' comes last can help you remember which word means what.
2. Create an association with latter. Remember it as something or somebody who comes late, which is usually the last.
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Frequently asked questions
When to use the word 'former'?
The term 'former' is used to refer to the first of two people or things that are mentioned. For example, 'She chose between the two dresses, the former being blue and the latter being black.' In this sentence, 'former' is referring to the blue dress that was mentioned first.
When to use the word 'latter'?
The term 'latter' is used to refer to the second of two people or things that are mentioned. For example, 'She chose between the two dresses, the former being blue and the latter being black.' In this sentence, 'latter' is referring to the black dress that was mentioned second.
Do the words 'former' and 'latter' have the same pronunciation?
No, the words 'former' and 'latter' do not have the same pronunciation. The word 'former' is pronounced as 'fawr-mer' and the word 'latter' is pronounced as 'lat-ter'.
What are common mistakes associated with 'former' and 'latter'?
One common mistake associated with these words is confusing the two. It is important to remember that 'former' refers to the first thing or person mentioned and 'latter' refers to the second thing or person mentioned. Another common mistake is mispronouncing these words. It is important to remember that 'former' is pronounced as 'fawr-mer' and 'latter' is pronounced as 'lat-ter'.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The ____ of the two books I bought was much better than the ____.
2. Im going to start with the ____ chapter first.
3. I prefer the ____ version of the software.
4. The ____ member of the team is new to the role.
5. Id like to suggest that we focus on the ____ option.
6. I was surprised at the improvement in the ____ design.
1. Latter, Former
Explanation: This is because the former is the first of the two books mentioned in the sentence, while the latter is the second of the two books.
2. Former
Explanation: This is because the former is the first of the two chapters mentioned in the sentence.
3. Latter
Explanation: This is because the latter is the second of the two versions mentioned in the sentence.
4. Latter
Explanation: This is because the latter is the second of the two members mentioned in the sentence.
5. Latter
Explanation: This is because the latter is the second of the two options mentioned in the sentence.
6. Latter
Explanation: This is because the latter is the second of the two designs mentioned in the sentence.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.