which one is the former and which one is the latter?

Question

my book says, "one action would increase the good of 25 people 1 unit each, and another action would increase the good of 1 person 26 units, the latter action should be taken."
So is the latter the first part or the second part?

Answer 1

Hi, thanks for asking.

"Former" refers to something that comes "before" (that is, first).

"Latter" refers to something that comes "later" (that is, last).

Generally we only use these terms when we have a pair of things to consider, otherwise you would have to number them ("firstly", "secondly", "thirdly", etc.)

So in your example: "one action would increase the good of 25 people 1 unit each, and another action would increase the good of 1 person 26 units, the latter action should be taken."

"one action would increase the good of 25 people 1 unit each" is the former statement.

"another action would increase the good of 1 person 26 units" is the latter statement.

So "the latter action should be taken" means that whoever makes the decisions should "increase the good of 1 person 26 units", not "increase the good of 25 people 1 unit each".

May God bless you.

Answer 2

"... and another action would increase the good of 1 person 26 units" is the latter action.

Answer 3

The first action mentioned is the former. The second action mentioned is the latter.

Answer 4

When they give you two alternatives, the first alternative mentioned is considered the former and the second (and last--"latter") alternative is considered latter.

Answer 5

The latter is the 2nd part.

Answer 6

'Latter' refers to the one directly preceding, 'former' is the one before that.