2022-04-08
ศัพท์ น่าสับสน - Set – F - former & latter
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Dictionary.com:
ออกเสียง former = “FAWR-mer”
ออกเสียง latter = “LAT-er”
Dictionary of Problem Words and Expressions:
former & latter
Former applies to the first of two in a series.
When you refer to the first of three or more,
say either first or first-named.
In the sense in which it contrasts with former,
latter refers to the second of two things mentioned.
When you mention the last of three or more,
say last-named, not latter.
Examples of use:
“Of these two solutions, I prefer the former.”
“The latter of these solutions is inferior to the former.”
“The first-named soldier in the company
will now step one pace forward.”
“After I call the roll, the last-named student will please raise his hand.”
Dictionary.com:
FORMER VS. LATTER
What’s the difference between former and latter?
Using the terms former and latter is a somewhat
formal way to differentiate between items mentioned
in a set or list without actually naming them.
Former is used to indicate the first item mentioned,
while latter is used to indicate the second item.
Both words can be used as an adjective or a noun.
In either case, they are both usually preceded by the.
Here’s an example of an adjective use:
When offered a choice between shorter hours and higher pay,
most survey respondents chose the former option.
In this example,
the former option refers to shorter hours,
because that’s the item that was mentioned first.
Here’s an example of a noun use:
I enjoy both vanilla and chocolate ice cream, but I prefer the latter.
In this example, the latter refers to
chocolate ice cream, because that’s the one
that was mentioned second.
Remember, using former and latter can sound a bit formal
(and might even be confusing to people
who aren’t familiar with th terms).
A less formal (and potentially clearer) way
to rephrase the former of the two examples
would be to say
When offered a choice between shorter hours and higher pay,
most survey respondents chose shorter hours.
To remember the difference,
remember that latter sounds like (and is related to)
the word later
—so the latter item is the one that was mentioned later.
Former and latter are sometimes both used in the same sequence.
Here’s an example of former and latter
used correctly in the same sentence.
Example:
The report presented two alternative plans:
the former would be easier to implement;
the latter would be less expensive.
Dictionary.com:
“Former” vs. “Latter”: What’s The Difference?
Published January 1, 2017
First things first:
former and latter are both terms
that denote an item’s place in a two-part sequence.
Former refers to the first of a set,
while latter refers to the second, or last, item.
They usually appear in the sentence immediately following
the sequence they are describing.
Former and latter in sequence
Take this example from The Young Student’s Companion:
“I have a grey horse and a black horse; take the former,
and send the latter to my brother.”
Here, the former item in the list is a grey horse,
and the latter item is a black horse.
By using the terms in this way,
the speaker manages to indicate
which horse the listener should take
and which should be sent to their brother
without having to repeat the full description of each horse.
Of course, the terms can be used independently of each other
while still referring to a sequence.
Additional uses and meanings
Both of these words have somewhat related secondary meanings.
Former first appears in the 1100s, as a term equivalent to forme.
It means “preceding in time” and can be used
to describe “having once, or previously, been.”
For example, a new employee may be
introduced as “Jim, formerly of Very Big Corporation,”
with the clear meaning that he’s no longer an employee there.
Similarly, Jimmy Carter is a former president in that
he stopped being president in 1981.
In addition to meaning “being the second mentioned of two,”
latter can also refer to something
that is “more advanced in time”
and “near or comparatively near the end.”
It originated before 1000 from the Old English lætra.
The full name of the Mormon Church, for example, is
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.”
Here, Latter-Day is a reference to a time period
and is almost synonymous with late.
How to use them
Former and latter usually show up in formal or technical writing.
It’s rare that either word appears in casual speech.
This is partly because it sounds odd to modern listeners,
but mostly because the audience can’t go back over
the preceding sentence to double-check
which item in a set is former and which is latter.
An easy way to remember the difference
is to recall that
both former and first begin with an F,
while both latter and last start with an L.
Just remember that former and latter
shouldn’t appear
after lists that contain more than two items.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
Choose the Right Synonym for former
Adjective
Preceding, Antecedent, Foregoing, Previous, Prior, Former, Anterior
mean being before.
Preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.
the preceding sentence
Antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.
conditions antecedent to the revolution
Foregoing applies chiefly to statements.
the foregoing remarks
Previous and Prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but
Former often adds an implication of greater importance.
a child from a previous marriage
a prior obligation
Former implies always a definite comparison or contrast
with something that is latter.
the former name of the company
Anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.
the anterior lobe of the brain
Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
Usage Notes
'Former' and 'Latter'
Let's get them in order
What to Know
Former refers to something that is first
in the order of two or more things.
Latter refers to something that is either second
in a group of two things
or last in a group of several.
Some usage guides dictate that
these words can only be used for groups of two,
but our definitions—and the words' actual usages—reflect otherwise.
The Meanings of 'Former' and 'Latter'
Many usage guides,
when addressing the words former and latter
advise that if you must use these words
their use should be restricted to groups of two things,
and two things only.
We define the relevant sense of latter
as “of, relating to, or being the second of two groups or things
or the last of several groups or things referred to”
and former as “first in order of two or more things cited or understood.”
Please note that
although each of these definitions uses the word two
we allow the possibility that each of these words
may refer to a number that is greater than two.
Exceptions to the Rule
‘But the rule is so neat and simple!’
someone out there is exclaiming,
in between bouts of rending their garments and gnashing their teeth;
‘why can’t you just say that former is the first of two
and latter is the second of two?’
Well, we could say that, but it wouldn’t be very honest,
since this isn’t exactly the way that people use these words.
We do not make the rules about language
(and neither do you, angry person who is reading this);
we simply do our best to accurately describe how words are used.
And while former and latter are usually employed
in reference to groups of two things,
there are many occasions where they are applied to larger numbers.
An important point we should make here
is that our noting that people often use
former and latter in reference to a part of a group
that is larger than two
is not the same as our exhorting you to replicate this use.
You may use former to indicate the first of a group of three,
and we won’t think any the less of you for this,
but someone else might, and you should be aware that
many usage guides frown on such use.
There are other words one might use in such settings,
such as first or last (or last-named).
In fact, some guides go so far as to recommend
avoiding the use of former and latter altogether,
on the grounds that the words may unnecessarily
draw the reader’s attention backwards,
and in doing so interfere with smooth reading.
You should remember that former and latter
function as conveniences for the writer,
and may be potential nuisances for the reader
unless handled with care.
In some cases you will be better served
by repetition of the word or phrase
that former or latter might replace.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
Can latter be used of more than two?
There is some controversy afoot regarding the use of latter,
particularly regarding its use to refer to items in a series.
Many commentators insist that
latter can only be used of a series that consists of two:
We have a chicken entree and a vegetarian entree:
do you prefer the former or the latter?
When presented with a series of three or more,
they say, anyone wishing to highlight the last item
in the series should use last and not latter:
We had soup, fish, and dessert, and the last was uninspiring.
But our evidence shows that
latter is used to refer to the last in a series regardless of number:
After Ethel's action at Oxford,
the ultimate sacrifice that symbolizes her self-discipline,
the focus moves away to other members of her family
for the latter third of the novel...
— Melissa Schaub, Studies in the Novel, Spring 2007
This use is common enough that most modern dictionaries
make mention of it in their definitions for latter
—and indeed they should,
since our evidence for this particular use is several hundred years old.
Despite this evidence, however, there are still those who object to its use;
if you are concerned about such things,
use last to refer to the last item in a series of three or more.
Collins English Dictionary:
Usage:
The latter should only be used to refer to the second of two items:
many people choose to go by hovercraft rather than use the ferry,
but I prefer the latter.
The last of three or more items can be referred to as the last-named
Collins COBUID English Dictionary:
Former & late
1. 'former'
You use former in front of a noun
to indicate that the person you are talking about
is no longer the thing referred to by the noun.
For example,
the former chairman of a company used to be the chairman,
but is not the chairman now.
...former President Gerald Ford.
...William Nickerson, a former Treasury official.
2. 'late'
You use late in front of a name or noun
to indicate that the person you are talking about has recently died.
...the late Mr Parkin.
I'd like to talk to you about your late husband.
Latter & former
The latter should only be used to refer to the second of two things
or people which have already been mentioned.
Given the choice between working for someone else and working for the family business,
she'd prefer the latter.
You use the former to talk about
the first of two things already mentioned.
These two firms are in direct competition,
with the former trying to cut costs and increase profits.
If you are talking about three or more things or people,
don't use 'the latter' or 'the former'.
Use an expression with the last or the first.
The company has three branches, in Birmingham, Plymouth, and Greenock.
The last of these will close next year.
If you are mentioning things for the first time,
don't use 'the former' or 'the latter'.
Use the first or the second.
There will be two matches next week. The first will be in Brighton,
and the second in London.
