latter
/ˈlætə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlætər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈla-tər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈlæt.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlæt̬.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
latter — 形容詞
- latterpositive
- latterercomparative
- latterestsuperlative
1. situated in the section close to the finish of a time span, event, or ongoing ac
後期；後半
指一段時期或過程靠近結尾的部分
situated in the section close to the finish of a time span, event, or ongoing activity, as opposed to its early or central portion.
The latter stages of the project required everyone to work late.
這個計畫的後期階段需要大家加班工作。
collocation: latter stages
Dahlia spent the latter part of her career teaching literature at a university in Kyoto.
Dahlia 在京都的一所大學教文學，度過了職業生涯的後半段。
collocation: latter part of [period]
The latter half of the film focuses on the main character's childhood memories.
電影的後半段聚焦於主角的童年回憶。
In the latter years of his life, Mert devoted himself to community gardening projects.
Mert 在晚年全心投入社區園藝計畫。
文法句型
the latter + noun (latter half / latter part / latter stages)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Cannot be used after a linking verb — compare 'later' (adverb): 'the latter chapters' ✓ but 'the chapters are latter' ✗.
常見錯誤
2. happening or existing at a point closer to the present than an earlier period al
近期；後來
相對於較早時間而言屬於較晚時段的
happening or existing at a point closer to the present than an earlier period already mentioned or understood from context.
The artist's latter paintings feature bold colours and abstract shapes.
這位畫家後期的畫作以鮮豔的色彩和抽象的形狀為特色。
collocation: latter paintings / latter works
Christopher's latter novels were shorter and drew on personal travel experiences.
Christopher 後期的小說篇幅較短，內容取材於個人的旅行經歷。
Lien joined the company in the latter part of the 1990s, just before the expansion.
Lien 在 1990 年代末期加入公司，正好趕上擴張期。
During the latter decades of the 20th century, digital technology changed everyday life dramatically.
在 20 世紀的後幾十年，數位科技徹底改變了人們的日常生活。
- later
more common in everyday speech ('later editions'); 'latter' sounds slightly more formal
- more recent
equivalent in meaning but periphrastic; 'latter' is more concise in attributive position
文法句型
the latter + noun (latter years / latter works / latter decades)
用法筆記
Frequently paired with a time reference (decade, century, career) that has already been mentioned or is obvious from context. Distinguish from sense 1 (TOWARDS THE END), which focuses on the endpoint of a process regardless of when it occurred — this sense emphasises recency relative to something older.
常見錯誤
3. pointing to the second option from a pair of people, items, or choices that have
後者的
指前文提及的兩者中的第二個
pointing to the second option from a pair of people, items, or choices that have just been named in the same discussion.
Between the red dress and the blue one, Jisoo chose the latter option.
在紅色洋裝和藍色洋裝之間，Jisoo 選擇了後者。
pattern: the latter + noun referring to a choice
The doctor considered both treatments and recommended the latter approach.
醫生考慮了兩種治療方式，最後推薦了後者。
David was offered a teaching job and a research position; he took the latter offer.
David 收到了教職和研究職的 offer，他選擇了後者。
The committee studied two proposals and voted to support the latter plan.
委員會研究了兩項提案，投票支持了後者。
- second
simpler and more neutral; 'latter' is preferred in formal or contrastive writing
- second-mentioned
explicit about the discourse order, but less common
- former
direct counterpart referring to the first of two items just mentioned
文法句型
the latter + noun (the latter option / the latter approach / the latter choice)
用法筆記
Must appear with 'the' (the latter). Always follows an earlier sentence or clause that names exactly two items. Frequently paired with 'former' in the same sentence: 'the former … the latter …'.
常見錯誤
latter — 名詞
1. the person, thing, or group that comes second when exactly two have been named o
後者
前文提及的兩者中的第二個
the person, thing, or group that comes second when exactly two have been named or described in the conversation or text.
Obi was offered coffee or tea and chose the latter without hesitation.
Obi 可以選咖啡或茶，他毫不猶豫地選了後者。
the latter as direct object
The manager presented two strategies: cut costs or hire more staff; the board chose the latter.
經理提出兩種策略：降低成本或增聘人手；董事會選擇了後者。
Diya compared two apartments near the station; the latter had better light but a higher rent.
Diya 比較了車站附近的兩間公寓，後者採光較好但租金較高。
Some prefer traditional classes while others like online learning; the latter suits Zola's schedule better.
有些人喜歡傳統課程，有些人偏好線上學習，後者比較適合 Zola 的作息。
- the second one
more conversational; 'the latter' is more formal and concise
- the second-named
very explicit about discourse order, but rare in everyday use
- the former
direct counterpart: the first of two items just mentioned
文法句型
the latter (standing alone as subject/object)
用法筆記
Functions as a noun phrase on its own (always with 'the'). The two items it refers to must have been stated explicitly in the preceding context — not merely implied. Frequently contrasted with 'the former' in the same sentence.
常見錯誤
2. the final person or thing among three or more items that have just been listed i
最後提及者
前文列舉的多個事物中的最後一個
the final person or thing among three or more items that have just been listed in sequence within the same discussion.
Noor visited Paris, Rome, and Berlin — the latter suited her artistic taste best.
Noor 去了巴黎、羅馬和柏林——後者最符合她的藝術品味。
the latter referring to the third of three cities
The author wrote novels, essays, poetry, and short stories; the latter became his main focus.
這位作家寫小說、散文、詩歌和短篇故事，後者成了他的主要創作方向。
Sari bought apples, oranges, pears, and bananas, and the latter quickly went bad in the heat.
Sari 買了蘋果、柳橙、梨子和香蕉，後者在炎熱天氣下很快就壞了。
The scholarship supports undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students; the latter receive full tuition.
這項獎學金資助大學部、碩士班和博士班學生；後者享有全額學費補助。
- the last
preferred in modern usage for three or more items; clearer and less formal
- the last-named
very formal and explicit about discourse order, used in legal or academic writing
- the first
refers to the initial item in any list, regardless of length
- the former
only correctly used for the first of exactly two
文法句型
the latter (standing alone, referring to the final item in a list of three or more)
用法筆記
Some style guides (e.g. Oxford, Fowler's) restrict 'latter' to exactly two items. Using it for three or more is accepted in informal and general written English but may be considered imprecise in strict formal contexts. When clarity matters, prefer 'the last' or 'the last-named' for lists of three or more.