the former are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the former" can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that has been previously mentioned. For example: "The students had to choose between two classes. They chose the latter, but the former are also interesting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The former are extraordinary.

Independent

The former are absurdly generous.

The Economist

The former are usually voluntary.

The Guardian - Opinion

The former are called "jumbo" oat flakes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The former are more common than the latter.

Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths

The former are much more reactive then the latter.

Polymer

The former are described above (see The cerebellum: Tumours).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Middlesex and Mercer counties, especially the former, are industrialized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The former are the needles that oncologists wish to identify.

The Economist

The former are often tragic; the latter always end happily.

The Guardian - Travel

The former are reversible but the latter are less reversible.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by using "the former are" only when the items being referred to are explicitly and immediately clear from the preceding context. Avoid ambiguity by rephrasing if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "the former are" when the items being compared are separated by a large amount of text or other intervening concepts, as this can confuse the reader. Instead, restate the items for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the former are" serves as a referential expression, pointing back to the first of two previously mentioned items. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts to clearly distinguish between two subjects. This ensures clarity by linking current statements to prior information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the former are" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to refer back to the first of two previously mentioned items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. While effective for clarity, it's essential to ensure the reference remains unambiguous. Alternative phrases like "the first are" or "the prior are" can be used for variety. Remember to avoid overuse in close proximity to prevent monotony and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the first are

Changes the word 'former' to 'first', creating a simpler and more direct reference to the initial item in a sequence.

the prior are

Replaces 'former' with 'prior', indicating something that comes before in time or order, and it is slightly more formal.

the initial ones are

Uses 'initial ones' instead of 'former', specifying that the items being referred to are the first in a group or series.

those previously mentioned are

Rephrases the concept to explicitly state that the items were mentioned earlier, offering a more descriptive alternative.

the aforementioned are

Substitutes 'former' with 'aforementioned', creating a more formal and emphatic reference to something previously stated.

the preceding ones are

Uses 'preceding ones' to indicate items that come immediately before in a sequence, adding a sense of immediacy.

the earlier ones are

Replaces 'former' with 'earlier', highlighting the temporal aspect of having come before.

of the two, the first are

Specifies that the reference is limited to two items, making the comparison more direct and explicit.

the ones initially discussed are

Emphasizes that the items were part of an initial discussion, adding context about how they were presented.

those mentioned first are

Highlights that the items were the first to be mentioned, changing the focus to the order of presentation.

FAQs

How can I use "the former are" in a sentence?

Use "the former are" to refer back to the first of two items or concepts previously mentioned. For example, "We discussed apples and oranges; the former are my favorite."

What's an alternative to using "the former are"?

You can use phrases like "the first are" or "the prior are" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it okay to use "the former are" repeatedly in a single paragraph?

While grammatically correct, using "the former are" repeatedly can make your writing monotonous. Consider rephrasing or using synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

What is the difference between "the former are" and "the latter are"?

"The former are" refers to the first item or concept mentioned out of two, while "the latter are" refers to the second. Understanding this distinction is crucial for clear communication.