What is the Difference of former and latter?

Answer 1

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 dehkuh tree uh foh bee uh). Cool! i only knew triskaidekaphobia (triss kuh deh kuh fohbee uh). the former is fear of Friday the 13th; the latter is fear of the number 13.

Answer 2

"Later" refers to time: something happens later or after something else. "Latter" refers to placement of two phrases or words in a sentence. In the question, "Difference between later and latter," "later" may be termed as the former term. For it's found first in the sentence. Former refers to a word that's closer to the beginning of the sentence. "Latter" may be termed as the latter term. For it's found second in the sentence. "Latter" refers to a word that's closer to the end of the sentence. At least, that's the case in English. In the Romance languages, the situation's reversed.

Answer 3

Later is more of a derivative of time in any frame of time.

Example:

We should go out to eat some Pizza later Elizabeth.


Latter is based on a specific time frame, being near the end or the final parts of a time frame.

Example:

During the latter parts of Jeffrey's life, he sought to compose one last musical piece.


Hope this helps.