latter off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "latter off" is not correct and does not have a usable meaning in written English.
It seems to be a confusion of terms, possibly mixing "latter" and "off," which do not form a coherent expression together. Example: "I would prefer to focus on the latter option."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

There were 16 fours and four sixes, all of the latter off Simon Kerrigan, the Lancashire left-arm spinner.

Independent

Jon Kitna threw touchdown passes of 45 and 82 yards, the latter off a fortuitous deflection, as the host Bengals went ahead by 24-7 during Boller's disastrous first half.

The New York Times - Sports

And given the infrastructure costs involved in the former and the loss of tax revenues needed to get the latter off the ground, you cant help but think that less glamorous options which don't rely so heavily on trickle down economics might've been a better bet.

The Guardian

Prince and Brown steadied the ship after the resumption, adding 69 before Smith bowled the latter off an under-edge and then won an lbw decision against the dangerous Jos Buttler two balls later.

BBC

Try crossing a few of the latter off the list, or move them to a time when you're less harried.

Huffington Post

Juvenile ravens are driven away from carcasses (in winter, almost the only form of nutrition) by mature mated pairs, but (apparently by exchanging information in nightly roosts) the former often manage to recruit sufficient numbers to drive the latter off.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

(The latter knocked off two runners).

The New Yorker

"If the latter, hats off to you.

The Guardian - Sport

The latter walks off, leaving the money on the ground.

The New Yorker

Among them is a large study of the building beneath the sails, with the latter left off.

The Guardian - Arts

U.S.C. goes to Arizona State, with the former undefeated and the latter coming off a pretty disappointing loss at Illinois.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "latter" to refer to the second of two items, ensure that the subsequent action or state is clearly and grammatically linked. Avoid using "off" directly after "latter" unless it is part of a phrasal verb or a larger, coherent expression.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "latter off" as a standalone phrase, assuming it has a direct meaning. Instead, ensure that "off" is part of a phrasal verb or a modifier that correctly applies to the latter item being referenced. For instance, use "the latter took off" instead of just "the latter off".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "latter off" by itself doesn't serve a clear grammatical function. It typically appears within larger constructions where "latter" functions as a pronoun referring to the second of two items, and "off" is part of a phrasal verb or prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig, the phrase is not correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "latter off" is not grammatically correct as a standalone expression, as pointed out by Ludwig. Its usage is limited and contextual, typically appearing within larger sentences where "latter" references the second of two items and "off" is part of a phrasal verb or prepositional phrase. Examples from news, science, and encyclopedia sources illustrate its presence, but careful construction is crucial to ensure grammatical correctness. While there are real-world examples, writers should be mindful of potential misinterpretations and consider alternative phrasing for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

latter's removal

Focuses on the act of taking something away from the latter.

later dismissal

Refers to a dismissal that happened at a subsequent time.

subsequent departure

Emphasizes the act of leaving after something else.

second departure

Highlights a departure that is the second in a sequence.

second's deactivation

Highlights the act of deactivating the second item.

next separation

Focuses on the act of separating after something else has occurred.

last discontinuance

Emphasizes the action of stopping or discontinuing something for the last time.

ultimate abandonment

Highlights the final act of abandoning something.

concluding cessation

Emphasizes ending an activity or process.

closing termination

Highlights the act of formally ending something.

FAQs

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

Use "latter" to refer to the second of two things previously mentioned. For example, "I enjoy both tea and coffee; however, I prefer the "latter"."

What does it mean when something 'takes off' in relation to the "latter"?

When used together, "the "latter took off"" typically means that the second of two previously mentioned things became successful or popular. Example: "The company launched two products; the latter took off due to innovative marketing."

Is it correct to say "latter off" without any additional words?

Generally, no. "Latter off" by itself is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase in English. It usually needs to be part of a larger expression, such as "the latter is off" or "the latter took off."

What are some alternatives to using "the latter" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use "the "second"", "the "second option"", or simply rephrase the sentence to avoid needing to refer back to the second item.