latter
latter — 形容詞
- latterpositive
- latterercomparative
- latterestsuperlative
1. happening in the closing stretch of some duration, rather than at its early or m
後期的
接近一段時間結尾的
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.
該籃球隊在比賽的後期攻進了兩球。
collocation: latter part / latter half / latter years
In the latter years of her life, Professor Adina taught only one class each semester.
Adina 教授在晚年每學期只教一門課。
The latter half of the film was much more exciting than the beginning.
這部電影的後半段比開頭精彩多了。
Rainfall increased greatly during the latter months of the rainy season in Taiwan.
臺灣雨季的最後幾個月降雨量大幅增加。
The singer's latter albums were less popular than her early work.
這位歌手後期的專輯不像她早期作品那麼受歡迎。
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
後者的
指兩者中第二個的
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.
我們有兩個選擇：開車或搭公車。Leo 選擇了後者。
the latter + noun (option / choice / method / applicant)
Between the old bridge and the new one, the latter design proved much safer.
在舊橋和新橋之間，後者的設計證明安全得多。
The committee reviewed both proposals but approved only the latter plan.
委員會審視了兩個提案，但只批准了後者。
Of the two job candidates, the latter applicant had more classroom experience.
兩位求職者中，後者擁有更多課堂教學經驗。
Paul compared the two cooking methods and chose the latter technique.
Paul 比較了兩種烹調方法，然後選擇了後者。
- 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 — 名詞
1. the item that comes second in a pair previously referred to in the conversation
後者
兩者中第二個
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.
Kenji 有兩份工作機會——一份在臺北、一份在東京——他選擇了後者。
the former ... the latter (contrasting pair)
Of the two novels, the former is a love story and the latter a mystery.
這兩本小說中，前者是愛情故事，後者是推理小說。
The bookstore sells both new and used books; the latter usually cost half the price.
這家書店賣新書也賣二手書；後者通常只要一半的價錢。
Between hiking and cycling, Emma finds the latter much harder on her knees.
在登山和騎自行車之間，Emma 覺得後者對她的膝蓋負擔大得多。
The report compares urban and rural schools and finds the latter have fewer resources.
這份報告比較了都市和鄉村學校，發現後者資源較少。
- 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
最後一項
多項中最後提及的
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.
這趟旅行去了京都、大阪和東京；最後一處是大家最喜歡的城市。
used with 3+ antecedents in a series
Among the three students who entered the contest, only the latter won a full scholarship.
三位參賽的學生中，只有最後一位獲得全額獎學金。
The lunch menu offered chicken, fish, and pasta — the latter was sold out by noon.
午餐菜單上有雞肉、魚和義大利麵——最後一項中午就賣完了。
Several theories were proposed, but the latter received the most attention from scientists.
好幾種理論被提出來，但最後一種獲得最多科學家的關注。
Nadia applied to five graduate programs and was accepted by the latter three.
Nadia 申請了五間研究所，最後三間都錄取了她。
- 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.