first, former, last, latter

Former and latter refer to only two things or persons.

  • Both Barbara and her mother had attended Sir Adam Beck Collegiate, the former in the 1960s and the latter in the 1930s.
  • If Nelida must choose between bankruptcy and repaying her student loans, I hope she opts for the latter.

For a group of more than two, use first and last to compare or to refer to two things or persons.

  • The YMCA-YWCA offers courses on sailboarding, dinghy sailing, canoeing and kayaking; however, the first and the last are not offered on weekends.
  • You will come to Richmond Street, Kootenay Avenue, Exhibition Boulevard and Airport Road. At the last of these, turn left.

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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada

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