latter
latter — adjective
- latterpositive
- latterercomparative
- latterestsuperlative
1. happening in the closing stretch of some duration, rather than at its early or m
happening in the closing stretch of some duration, rather than at its early or middle stages.
The team scored two goals in the latter part of the basketball game.
collocation: latter part / latter half / latter years
In the latter years of her life, Professor Adina taught only one class each semester.
The latter half of the film was much more exciting than the beginning.
Rainfall increased greatly during the latter months of the rainy season in Taiwan.
The singer's latter albums were less popular than her early work.
文法句型
the latter + noun (part/half/years/months/days)
用法筆記
Always used before a noun with the definite article 'the' — 'the latter part/half/years.' Often contrasts implicitly with an earlier period ('the early years ... the latter years').
常見錯誤
2. identifying the one that is number two in a pair that has just been named — used
identifying the one that is number two in a pair that has just been named — used before a noun.
We had two choices: drive or take the bus. Leo chose the latter option.
the latter + noun (option / choice / method / applicant)
Between the old bridge and the new one, the latter design proved much safer.
The committee reviewed both proposals but approved only the latter plan.
Of the two job candidates, the latter applicant had more classroom experience.
Paul compared the two cooking methods and chose the latter technique.
- second
more direct and works in any numbered sequence; less formal than 'latter'
- former
refers to the first of two items mentioned
文法句型
the latter + noun (option/choice/proposal/applicant/method)
用法筆記
Only works when exactly two items have been mentioned earlier in the sentence or paragraph, and the first item ('the former') has already been introduced. Do not use for lists of three or more.
常見錯誤
latter — noun
1. the item that comes second in a pair previously referred to in the conversation
the item that comes second in a pair previously referred to in the conversation or text.
Kenji had two job offers — one in Taipei, one in Tokyo — and he chose the latter.
the former ... the latter (contrasting pair)
Of the two novels, the former is a love story and the latter a mystery.
The bookstore sells both new and used books; the latter usually cost half the price.
Between hiking and cycling, Emma finds the latter much harder on her knees.
The report compares urban and rural schools and finds the latter have fewer resources.
- the second one
more conversational and less formal than 'the latter'
- the second of the two
more explicit and clearer in speech
- the former
the first of two items mentioned
文法句型
the latter (as subject)
the latter (as object)
the former ... the latter (contrasting pair)
用法筆記
Always takes the definite article 'the' and refers back to an antecedent pair introduced earlier. The contrasting term 'the former' (the first of the two) is typically used in the same sentence or paragraph.
常見錯誤
2. the final entry among three or more items that have been named previously in the
the final entry among three or more items that have been named previously in the text.
The tour visited Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo; the latter was everyone's favorite city.
used with 3+ antecedents in a series
Among the three students who entered the contest, only the latter won a full scholarship.
The lunch menu offered chicken, fish, and pasta — the latter was sold out by noon.
Several theories were proposed, but the latter received the most attention from scientists.
Nadia applied to five graduate programs and was accepted by the latter three.
- the last
works naturally with any number of items and is clearer in casual contexts
- the final one
emphasises that nothing comes after this item in the series
- the first
the first item in a group of any size
文法句型
the latter (with 3+ items in a series)
用法筆記
When the antecedent list has three or more items, 'the latter' can refer to the last of them rather than the second. This usage is more formal. For clarity, especially in speech, 'the last one' or 'the final one' is often preferred.