latter
C1formal, academic, business
Definition
Meaning
Referring to the second of two things or people mentioned.
Later in time or order; nearer to the end of a sequence; can sometimes refer to the last-mentioned item in a list of more than two (though traditionally considered less correct).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Latter" contrasts specifically with "former." It often carries a subtle implication of being more recent or relevant in the context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Slightly more prevalent in formal British writing.
Connotations
In both varieties, it implies a formal or structured comparison.
Frequency
High frequency in academic and formal contexts in both regions; rare in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[the] latter + [of + NP] (e.g., the latter of the two proposals)[NP] and [NP], the latter + VP/AdjPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the latter-day (a modern equivalent of)”
- “latter-day saint”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports to compare two options, e.g., 'We considered cost and brand impact, opting for the latter.'
Academic
Common in comparative analysis, e.g., 'The theories of Plato and Aristotle differ significantly, the latter being more empirical.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might be used humorously to sound formal.
Technical
Used in legal, philosophical, or scientific texts to precisely refer back to the last of two listed items.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The latter stages of the tournament were thrilling.
- He made his mark in the latter half of the century.
American English
- The latter part of the book gets more exciting.
- She joined the company in the latter 1990s.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We have tea and coffee. Would you like the latter?
- John and Mary arrived, but the latter was late.
- The report highlighted efficiency and cost, with the latter being our primary concern.
- He offered a compromise or a full refund; I chose the latter.
- While both Kantian and utilitarian ethics offer frameworks, the latter often proves more applicable in pragmatic policy debates.
- The initial hypothesis and its subsequent refinement were both tested, the latter yielding more statistically significant results.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LATTER comes later in the sentence and later alphabetically (L-M-N) than FORMER (F-G-H).
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/ORDER IS SPACE (the latter is spatially conceived as to the right or below the former in a list).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'последний' when it means 'final' or 'last in a long series.' "Latter" is only for the second of two. Confusion with 'later' (позже) in time.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'latter' for lists longer than two items.
- Using 'latter' without a clear antecedent 'former.'
- Misspelling as 'later.'
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'She considered both medicine and law, eventually pursuing the latter,' what did she pursue?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, no. 'Latter' should only be used for the second of two. For the last in a longer list, use 'last' or 'last-mentioned.' However, this rule is sometimes relaxed in informal usage.
Yes, for clarity. 'Latter' only makes sense if there is a previously mentioned pair and a 'former' (the first of the two) is at least implied.
'Latter' refers to the second of two things mentioned. 'Later' refers to a point in time after the present or a reference point (e.g., 'See you later').
Yes, it is primarily used in formal, academic, and business writing. In everyday speech, people usually say 'the second one' or 'the last one.'
Explore