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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > the latter
the latter
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peiolei
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the latter
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Hi everyone! I �m writing a project work at present and a doubt has come to my mind. I don �t know if the expression "the latter" can be used to refer to the last member of a list of people (more than two people), or it can only be used when there are only two people or items in the list.
For example:
I gave three chewing gums to David, Tom and John. The latter didn �t like it.
Is that OK?
Thanks in advance,
Paola |
2 Sep 2009
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Carla74
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I think that latter can only be used when referring to the second of two people or things mentioned before. That �s my humble opinion, but wait for a native answer.
Hugs, carla |
2 Sep 2009
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peiolei
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Thank you Carla74! I also thought that but just in case it was possible... |
2 Sep 2009
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Ayaniw
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Hi Paola,
Your sentence is correct as the latter means : being the second of two things, people or groups that have just been mentioned,
or the last in a list.
Al.
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3 Sep 2009
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Jayho
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Carla74 is right - when you are listing two specific things then you can use �latter �, and �former �, instead of first and last. There are other uses for �latter � as well which you dictionary should explain.
When talking about three or more things you can use �final �, �last-mentioned �, �last-named � etc depending on your context. "I gave three chewing pieces of gum to David, Tom and John but the last-mentioned didn�t like it." (personally I wouldn �t say it in this in this context - I would use his name instead - I use �latter � and �former � in formal writing only)
In real life you will find that many native speakers use �latter � and �former � when referring to more than two things and as such a NS would perfectly understand what you mean. But, if you were doing an IELTS test for example you would be marked down for using it incorrectly.
Cheers
Jayho |
3 Sep 2009
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