latter last year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "latter last year" is not correct in English.
The correct expression would typically be "latter part of last year" or simply "late last year." Example: "We launched the new product in the latter part of last year."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Were I to have put the same question some years later, I'd have dropped Fawcett and Diesel for Jimmy Hoffa and Mehdi Ben Barka, both of whom have been the subject of movies, the former in 1992, the latter last year in I Saw Ben Barka Get Killed (J'ai vu tue Ben Barka) which has just reached this country, though it was included in the 2005 London Film Festival.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The former endorsed the latter this year: synergy.

The Guardian

Note how incomes peaked in the latter 1990s.

The New York Times

The tea is planning to launch the site latter this month.

The Guardian - Tech

How about more of the former and less of the latter April 22 , 201410.32pm BST Tweets!

The Guardian - Music

Hobsbawm settled on the latter, 1991, because of the formal dissolution that year of the Soviet Union.

The Guardian - Opinion

I went with the latter last week, during my second trip to Nepenthes New York.

The New York Times

The latter, from 1967 (which I wrote about at the time of its DVD release), is Charlie Chaplin's last film.

The New Yorker

The worlds of academic paleontology and creationism rarely collide, but the former paid a visit to the latter last Wednesday.

The New York Times - Science

But given the Mishel finding about the latter 1990s, I thought the bargaining-clout point was worth a closer look.

The New York Times

There may be a lot of the former, but I think very little of the latter today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more conventional alternatives such as "late last year" or "the latter part of last year" to ensure your writing is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid combining "latter" directly with time references like "last year". "Latter" is generally used to refer to the second of two previously mentioned items or concepts, not time periods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "latter last year" functions as an incorrect attempt to specify a time frame. The word latter is intended to reference the second of two previously mentioned items, not a period of time. Ludwig AI flags the phrase as not being correct in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "latter last year" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's not considered correct English usage. While the intention might be to refer to the second part of the previous year, more appropriate alternatives include "late last year" or "the latter part of last year". Using clearer language ensures effective communication and avoids confusion. The word latter is for the second thing mentioned of two, never for temporal expressions. It should be rare to encounter this phrase in well-edited writing, given its incorrectness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

late last year

This alternative uses a more common adjective to describe the time period.

towards the end of last year

Indicates the period approaching year's end.

end of last year

This alternative specifies the terminal portion of the year.

the closing months of last year

Emphasizes that the events occurred near the year's completion.

the second half of last year

This option refers to the latter six months of the year.

final part of last year

Uses a straightforward term to convey the concluding segment of the year.

the last quarter of last year

Focuses on the final three months.

subsequent part of last year

Highlights events happening in the time following a specific starting point.

recently last year

Highlights the event as a recent one.

in late months of last year

Specifies an event happening towards the end.

FAQs

What does "latter" refer to?

"Latter" refers to the second of two things that have just been mentioned. It is used to avoid repeating the specific name or description of the second item.

Is it correct to use "latter" to describe time?

While "latter" is not typically used to describe time, you can use phrases like "late last year" or "the latter part of the year" to refer to a later time frame.

How can I use "latter" in a sentence correctly?

Use "latter" to refer back to the second item you mentioned. For example: "We discussed the budget and the marketing plan; the "latter" needs more work."

What's the difference between "former" and "latter"?

"Former" refers to the first of two things mentioned, while "latter" refers to the second. For example: "John and Mary applied for the job; the former has more experience, but the "latter" has better qualifications."