the latter group

USAGE SUMMARY

"the latter group" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the second of two groups that have been discussed. For example, "The first group of students had low test scores, while the latter group had higher scores."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The latter group won.

The New York Times

The latter group includes hexamethonium and trimethaphan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cameron volunteered to lead the latter group.

The New York Times

I mostly side with the latter group.

The New York Times

Michael Ruhlman is in the latter group.

The New York Times - Books

Caroline Stehlin is among the latter group.

The New York Times

Hannah Arendt belongs to the latter group.

The Guardian - Books

Smith counts himself among the latter group.

The New Yorker

"Unfortunately, I fall into the latter group".

The New York Times

Dying people belong to the latter group.

The Guardian - Opinion

But wage growth was much faster in the latter group.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that there are clearly two distinct groups previously mentioned when using "the latter group" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the latter group" when the context doesn't clearly define two distinct groups, as this can confuse the reader. Ensure clarity by explicitly stating the groups or rephrasing the sentence for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the latter group" functions as a determiner phrase acting as a noun phrase, referring back to the second of two groups previously mentioned. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the latter group" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the second of two previously mentioned groups. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. To ensure clarity, always establish the two groups distinctly before employing this phrase. While synonyms like "the second group" exist, "the latter group" remains a frequently used and effective choice for concise writing. Be mindful to avoid ambiguity by ensuring a clear reference; otherwise, consider rephrasing for enhanced reader comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the second group

Refers specifically to the second of two groups, maintaining direct parallelism.

the latter category

Substitutes 'group' with 'category', implying a classification rather than a collection of individuals.

the latter set

Uses 'set' as a synonym for 'group', suggesting a more formal or mathematical context.

the second option

Frames the choice as one between options rather than groups of people.

the second faction

Implies a division or conflict between the two groups.

the latter division

Uses 'division' instead of 'group', suggesting a formal separation.

the last mentioned group

More descriptive and less concise than "the latter group".

the previously mentioned group

Similar in meaning but more verbose, emphasizing prior reference.

that group

Relies heavily on immediate context for clarity, less specific than "the latter group".

they

Requires very clear context to avoid ambiguity; only suitable when the reference is absolutely clear.

FAQs

How do I use "the latter group" in a sentence?

Use "the latter group" to refer to the second of two groups previously mentioned in your sentence or paragraph. For instance: "Some prefer tea, others prefer coffee. "The latter group" often adds milk and sugar".

What's a synonym for "the latter group"?

Alternatives include "the second group", "the latter category", or "the second option", depending on the context.

Is it always clear which group is "the latter"?

Clarity is key. Make sure you've clearly established two distinct groups before using "the latter group". Otherwise, rephrase to avoid confusion.

Can I use "the latter group" if I've mentioned more than two groups?

While technically usable if you're only contrasting the final two groups mentioned, it's generally clearer to rephrase or explicitly identify the specific group you're referring to. Consider "the last mentioned group" if only contrasting the last item.