the former

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the former" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appeared or happened earlier in time, compared to something else. For example, "The former president was less popular than his successor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He took the former.

The New Yorker

The former Puma C.E.O.

The New York Times

I hope the former.

Independent

He prefers the former.

The New Yorker

We meant the former.

The New York Times

Downes paints the former.

The New Yorker

The former, almost certainly.

The New York Times - Arts

Hopefully, it's the former".

The New York Times - Sports

And we're the former.

The New York Times

The former are extraordinary.

Independent

The former I.M.F.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the former", ensure there is a clear "latter" for context. Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining the two items being compared.

Common error

Don't use "the former" if the items being compared are not immediately clear in the context. If there's a chance of confusion, restate the items to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "the former" is as a referential pronoun or adjective. It serves to point back to the first item or person of two that have been previously mentioned. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples where "the former" acts as a concise way to avoid repetition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the former" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for referencing the first of two items or entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent appearance across diverse sources, with a notable presence in news media, scientific publications, and formal business communications. To ensure clarity, always establish a clear "latter" when using "the former", and avoid ambiguity by restating the compared items if necessary. Alternatives like "the first mentioned" can be used depending on context. Remember that the register is generally neutral to formal adding a polished touch to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the first mentioned

Emphasizes the order of mention, highlighting that it was the initial item introduced.

the prior one

Focuses on the sequence, indicating the item that came before.

the preceding item

Highlights the position of the item in a list or sequence.

the aforementioned

More formal, pointing back to something already specified.

the earlier

Simple and direct, referring to what came before in time or sequence.

previously stated

Highlights that something was expressed beforehand.

the original

Implies something was first in a series or set.

that previously described

Indicates something discussed or detailed earlier.

the initial subject

Refers to the first topic under discussion.

the lead

Short for the leading topic

FAQs

How to use "the former" in a sentence?

Use "the former" to refer to the first of two things that you have just mentioned. For example: "I enjoy both tea and coffee; I prefer "the former" in the morning and the latter in the afternoon."

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

"The former" refers to the first of two things that have been mentioned, while "the latter" refers to the second. For example: "Cats and dogs make great pets; "the former" are more independent, and the latter are more sociable."

Which is correct, "the former" or "the first"?

Both "the former" and "the first" can be correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "The former" is used specifically when you have mentioned two things. "The first" can be used when you have mentioned more than two things. For instance: "I like apples, bananas, and oranges, but the first is my favorite."

What can I say instead of "the former"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the first mentioned", "the prior one", or "the aforementioned".