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What is the Difference of former and latter?

In: Definitions and Word Differences [Edit categories]

Answer:

generally used in formal language, you'd see a sentence that mentioned two things or people; the next sentence would use the words "former and latter." former refers to the first of the two things/people previously mentioned; latter refers to the second of those two things/people.

example (something i wrote elsewhere, discussing today, November 13th, 2009):
paraskevidekatriaphobia (pahr ahss keh vee deh kuh tree uh foh bee uh). Cool! i only knew triskaidekaphobia (triss kuh deh kuh foh bee uh). the former is fear of Friday the 13th; the latter is fear of the number 13.

First answer by ID1206721596. Last edit by Puretrailertrash. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question].

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