Use of ‘Later’ and ‘Latter’
Late is used as the opposite word of ‘early’. The comparative degree of ‘late’ is ‘later’ and ‘latter’. Later is used as the opposite of ‘earlier’ to denote time. While (whereas) ‘Latter’ is used as the opposite word of ‘former’ to denote order (sequence) or position as:
1) You came later than he (time). (correct)
2) You came latter than he. (Incorrect)
3) Mr. Kulkarni and Mr. Roy are good teachers but I prefer the former to the latter. (Correct)
4) Mr. Kulkarni and Mr. Roy are good teachers but I prefer the former to the later. (Correct)
‘Later’ is used in the sense of ‘coming after something else or at a time in the future’ as an adjective only before a noun as:
1) This is discussed in more detail in a later chapter.
2) The match has been postponed to a later date.
‘Later’ is used in the sense of ‘being the second of “at a time in the future’, ‘after the time you are talking about’ as an adverb as:
1) He met her again three years later.
2) His father died later that year.
3) She later became a teacher.
‘Latter’ is used in the sense of ‘being the second of two things, people or groups that have just been mentioned or the last in a list’ as an adjective as:
1) The latter point is the most important.
‘The latter’ is used in the sense of ‘the second of two things, people or groups that have just been mentioned or the last in a list’ as a singular or plural noun as:
1) He presented two solutions. The latter seems much better.
2) The city has a concert hall and two theatres. The latter were both built in the year 2000.
Use of ‘Former’ and ‘Latter’
If “only two persons or things” have been explained or mentioned in a sentence, The word – ‘Former’ is used for the first person or thing and the word – ‘latter’ is used for the second person or thing as:
1) Ravi and Raj are good friends but the former is better than the latter. (Correct)
2) Ravi and Raj are good friends but the former is better than the last. (Incorrect)
3) Ravi and Raj are good friends but the first is better than the latter. (Incorrect)
The word – ‘Former’ is used to refer ‘to exist in earlier times’ ; ‘to have a particular position or status in the past’ ; as an adjective only before a noun as:
1) This restaurant has been restored to its former glory.
2) The former captain of Indian Cricket Team.
3) My former boss / former colleague.
‘The former’ is used to refer to the first of two things or peoploe mentioned as a pronoun as:
1) The former option would be much more sensible.
2) The former car which went by, is much faster.
3) He had to choose between giving up his job and giving up his principles. He chose the former.