I always get confused with the words "former" and "latter"?

Question

For example, is the Master's Plan I the "former" or Master's Plan II?

In consultation with their advisors, students can elect either Master’s Plan I (thesis) or Master’s Plan II (comprehensive exam). It is expected that most students will choose the former.

Answer 1

In you're case former is Master's Plan I.
Former and Latter are ways of discussing two options or things you just mentioned. For example if you say I can't decide on a turkey or peanut butter sandwich because the former has good protein but the latter goes great with jelly. Turkey is the former and peanut butter is the latter. Former refers to the first of two things and the latter to the second.

Answer 2

Former just means before or earlier, and latter means after or later.

It's not necessarily with only a list of two items. You can say:

"Of corn, rice, eggs, peas, and chicken, I prefer the latter two, over the former three."

Meaning that you prefer peas and chicken. If you have more than two, you have to be more specific than former or latter.

Answer 3

An easy way to remember the difference between "former" and "latter":

Former=first, note the common "F"
Latter=last, note the common "L"

Answer 4

For former, think of the F as First
For latter, think of the L as Later

Former is the earlier (first) one, latter is the Later one.

Answer 5

the former is the First of two named alternatives, and the latter is the Last of two named alternatives. the initials give away the answer!

Answer 6

It is confusing. I keep them straight by remembering that "latter" is like "later," and it comes last in the list.

Answer 7

just think "latter" comes later (after)
former (before)

Answer 8

Think F&L words:

Former=First

Latter=Last