latter two

USAGE SUMMARY

"latter two" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that you are referring to the second of two items that you have previously mentioned. For example, "I am considering two job opportunities: one in a small town and one in the city. Of the latter two, I think I prefer the one in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The latter two survived.

The New York Times

Three marriages, the latter two to models.

The New Yorker

The latter two have joined on loan.

The Guardian - Sport

Cornejo will dance in the latter two.

The New Yorker

The latter two have something in common.

The Guardian - Sport

The latter two are no strangers to Mr. Bilicic.

The New York Times

The latter two were unlikely to play regular first grade.

The Guardian - Sport

The latter two funds are distributed through brokers.

The New York Times

The latter two feature an especially expressive crescent moon.

The New York Times

I'm hoping we see more of the latter two.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She won two Oscars, for the latter two films.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "latter two" to clearly distinguish between two items you've already introduced, avoiding ambiguity in your writing. This is particularly helpful in complex sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "latter two" if more than two items have been previously mentioned, as it can cause confusion. Instead, restate the specific items you are referring to for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "latter two" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically identifying the second two entities or items out of a previously mentioned set. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which consistently use it to refer back to specific items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

28%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "latter two" is a useful determiner phrase employed to refer to the second of two entities or items previously mentioned. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to provide a concise reference, avoiding repetition and contributing to clarity. When writing, use "latter two" to clearly distinguish between previously mentioned items and avoid ambiguity, but avoid using it if more than two items have been mentioned beforehand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second two

Focuses on numerical order rather than sequence of mention.

last two

Emphasizes the position at the end of a list or sequence.

final two

Similar to 'last two', highlighting the concluding items.

subsequent two

Highlights items that follow a specific point or event.

aforementioned two

More formal, explicitly referring to items previously mentioned.

previously mentioned pair

A more descriptive alternative, clarifying the reference.

the pair in question

Emphasizes that the two items are under discussion.

these two items

A more direct way to refer to two specific things.

the other pair

Useful when discussing multiple pairs of items.

newest two

Highlights items that are the most recent within a set.

FAQs

How to use "latter two" in a sentence?

Use "latter two" to refer to the second of two items or people mentioned previously in the sentence. For example: "We considered apples and oranges; the "latter two" are my preference".

What can I say instead of "latter two"?

You can use alternatives like "second two", "last two", or "final two" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "latter two"?

"Latter two" is appropriate when you have introduced exactly two items and wish to refer specifically to the second one. If there are more than two items, it's best to restate for clarity.

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

"Former two" refers to the first two items out of a list, while ""latter two"" refers to the second two items. They are opposites in terms of referencing order.