the latter issue

USAGE SUMMARY

'the latter issue' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing two things, or when referring to a second thing mentioned in a sentence. For example: "The former issue was discussed at length, but unfortunately the latter issue was not addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We focused on the latter issue.

The New York Times

The latter issue is important for structural safety.

Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics

In this paper, we focus on the latter issue.

Web Semantics: Science, Services and Agents on the World Wide Web

The latter issue has important implications for whether individuals actually have moral responsibility.

The New York Times

Valery Gergiev's surly handling of the latter issue was a low point of the musical year.

The New Yorker

The president has turned the latter issue around to cast himself as folksy and authentic.

The Guardian

New light is shed on the long-standing uncertainty on the latter issue.

Acta Materialia

The Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (Star) at the World Bank exists to assist governments with the latter issue.

The Guardian

On the latter issue, Jones shakes her head sadly: "That's never going to go away – there are just demons there".

The Guardian - Music

The focus of this article is on the latter issue, and on the use of the results.

Stanford University

Since the latter issue is one of the trickiest facing the Trump administration, it's worth taking a closer look.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the latter issue", ensure clarity by clearly defining the two issues being compared in the preceding context. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands which issue you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "the latter issue" if the context doesn't immediately make clear which of the two issues you're referring to. Rewrite the sentence to be more explicit, or rephrase to avoid using "the latter issue" altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the latter issue" functions as a referential expression, specifically an anaphoric reference. It points back to a previously mentioned item (the second of two issues). Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the latter issue" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for referring to the second of two items. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and formal writing. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to establish the two issues being compared beforehand. While synonyms like "the second point" and "the second matter" exist, "the latter issue" maintains a neutral tone suitable for many situations. The key is to avoid ambiguity and use the phrase when the context is clear. Overall, "the latter issue" is a useful phrase for focused and structured communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the second point

Focuses on the order of the points being discussed, emphasizing the sequence.

the second matter

Replaces "issue" with "matter", suggesting a topic or subject under consideration.

the latter concern

Substitutes "issue" with "concern", highlighting a worry or problem.

the second consideration

Uses "consideration" instead of "issue", implying a factor that needs to be taken into account.

the second aspect

Replaces "issue" with "aspect", focusing on a specific feature of the topic.

that second problem

More direct and informal, emphasizing the problematic nature of the issue.

the subsequent point

Highlights the chronological order of the discussion.

the second subject

General term replacing issue with subject.

the second item

Neutral alternative to the issue to refer to a specific item.

this second aspect

Uses 'this' as demonstrative adjective to highlight an aspect that was previously described.

FAQs

How can I use "the latter issue" in a sentence?

Use "the latter issue" to refer to the second of two issues previously mentioned. For example: "We discussed funding and staffing. The latter issue is more pressing."

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

Synonyms include "the second point", "the second matter", or "the latter concern", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "the latter issue" or "the second issue"?

Both are correct, but "the latter issue" is generally preferred in formal writing when directly contrasting two previously mentioned issues. "The second issue" is also acceptable.

When should I avoid using "the latter issue"?

Avoid using "the latter issue" if it's unclear which of the two issues you're referring to, or if the issues are not closely related. In such cases, rephrase for clarity.