IELTS preparation made easier
Members Academy
Log in
‘The former and the latter’ is a useful linking device that you can use in many writing contexts (it’s quite formal, so people use it less often in Speaking).
I’ve also noticed that ‘the former and the latter’ is frequently used in the Reading AND Listening texts, so it’s really important that you learn how it works.
Once you’ve mastered the concept of ‘The former and the latter’, you’ll be able to use it to describe data (Academic Task 1) and refer to different points and arguments in Writing Task 2.
Look at the extract below, which is taken from an IELTS Academic Reading about the nutmeg tree and its fruit:
‘The tree is thickly branched with dense foliage of tough, dark green oval leaves, and produces small, yellow, bell-shaped flowers and pale yellow pear-shaped fruits’.
‘Inside is a purple-brown shiny seed surrounded by a lacy red covering called an ‘aril’. These are the sources of the two spices nutmeg and mace, the former being produced from the dried seed and the latter from the aril’.
Now complete these two gapfill statements (one word only):
3. The _______ is used to produce nutmeg.
4. The covering known as the aril is used to produce _____________.
3. seed
4. mace
‘These are the sources of the two spices nutmeg and mace,
3. the former (nutmeg) being produced from the dried seed and
4. the latter (mace) from the aril’.
The former = the first thing mentioned
The latter = the last thing mentioned
Simply to avoid repetition.
It’s quite formal, and you can use it in your Writing Task 1 and Task 2 for the same purpose (see below).
This is taken from a Reading about spelling.
‘He asked me to write a book about correct spelling and why it matters. The former is easy to do. The latter, being a matter for debate, is less straightforward.’
True, False, Not Given?
TRUE.
‘He asked me to write a book about 1. correct spelling and 2. why it matters’.
The former (1. correct spelling) is easy to do.
The latter (2. why spelling matters)… is less straightforward.
difficult = less straightforward
is important = it matters
1. As an alternative to ‘respectively’ e.g.
Sales increased in both France and Germany, by 50% and 70% respectively.
Sales increased in both France and Germany, the former by 50% and the latter by 70%.
2. You can use ‘the latter half’ to mean the ‘second half’ e.g.:
Sales went up significantly in the latter half of the decade.
3. You can use it refer back to two options given in Task 2 e.g.
Solar power and tidal power are both suitable alternatives, but I favour the former/the latter.
or
Of these two options, the former is less expensive, while the latter is less risky.
Get instant access to all courses, challenges, boot camps, live classes, interactive and engaging classes, 1:1 support, and a friendly tight-knit community of like-minded learners to get you to Band 7+.
Get more Reading tips here.
Get free official IELTS Reading Tests here.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Very useful:-)
Thank you Katarzyna!