Former vs Latter | Meaning, Examples & Usage
Former is used to refer to the first item mentioned in a list of two or more things, and latter is used to refer to the last item in a list. This way, repetition can be avoided.
- Former refers back to the first thing or person in a previously mentioned list. It can also be used to refer to a past state or to mean “previous” (e.g., “my former coworker”).
- Latter refers back to the last thing or person in a previously mentioned list. It can also refer to a later time or period (e.g., “the latter half of this life”).
Examples: Former in a sentence | Examples: Latter in a sentence |
I could choose between a free bag or belt, but I chose the former. | Samsung and Apple are both nice brands, but the latter is much more popular. |
My former girlfriend is now competing on The Voice! | We will focus on paid marketing in the latter half of the year. |
You can remember the difference between “former” and “latter” by looking at the letters they start with. “Former” and “first” both start with “f,” and “latter” and “last” both start with “l.”
How to use former
Former can be used in the following ways:
- As a noun to refer to the first item in a list of two or more things, people, or places
- As an adjective to refer to a past state (often to replace the prefix “ex-”)
- As an adjective meaning “previous”
How to use latter
Latter can be used in the following ways:
- As a noun to refer to the last item in a list of two or more things, people, or places
- As an adjective meaning “subsequent”
- As an adjective to refer to a later time
Latter-day
The expression latter-day is often used before a noun to mean “modern” or “present-day.” It is always spelled with a hyphen.
The former and the latter
The former and the latter are noun phrases that refer back to the first and last item in a list. In this context, “former” and “latter” are always accompanied by the definite article “the.”
Some style guides advise using “former” and “latter” only in lists containing two items. While this is indeed the most common usage, you can also use these words for lists with more items. Alternatively, you can use “first” and “last.”
Former vs latter worksheet
If you want to test your knowledge of the difference between “former” and “latter”, use our practice worksheet below!
Frequently asked questions about former vs latter
- What is an easy way to remember former vs latter?
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You can remember the difference between former and latter by looking at the first letter of each word:
- “Former” refers to the first item in a list.
- “Latter” refers to the last item in a list.
- Is it the former and latter or former and ladder?
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The former and latter is correct.
- “Latter” refers to the last item in a list of two or more things.
- “Ladder” refers to an object that you can use to climb something or to reach something that’s up high.
“Latter” and “ladder” are sometimes confused because they’re pronounced somewhat similarly in US English.