the former

IPA/ðə fˈɔːmə/
IPA/ðə fˈɔːɹmɚ/

the former — idiom

1. refers to whichever person, item, or set was listed first when two have just bee

1.慣用語B1
釋義

refers to whichever person, item, or set was listed first when two have just been named in a sentence or discussion

例句

Between the river cruise and the mountain hike, Owen chose the former and Hiro the latter.

contrastive pattern: the former … the latter

Marta and Diya both applied for the promotion, but only the former received an interview.

同義詞
反義詞
  • the latter

    the second of the two mentioned items — the direct opposite of 'the former'

文法句型

the former + verb

the former of + [plural noun phrase]

clause describing two options, + the former

用法筆記

Only used when exactly two items or people have been mentioned. If three or more are listed, 'the first' or 'the first one' should be used instead. 'The former' is noticeably more common in formal and written English than in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌I have three brothers: Tom, Dick, and Harry. The former is a doctor.
✅I have three brothers: Tom, Dick, and Harry. The first is a doctor.
💡'the former' can only refer to the first of exactly two items, not of three or more.
❌He chose the former option.
✅He chose the former.
💡'the former' is already a complete reference; adding 'option' is redundant.