These words are often confused. Later is the comparative form oflate. It refers to time. It is the opposite of earlier. Latter refers to position. It is the opposite of former.
- We will talk to you later.
- The latter part of the film was a bit boring. (= The second part of the film was a bit boring.)
Test your understanding of these adjectives with this grammar test.
Question 1
1Most of us liked the ............... suggestion.
Wrong!
Use "latter" to mean the second of two suggestions already mentioned.
2The former part of the film is more interesting than the ............... part.
Wrong!
Use "latter" with "former" to refer to the second of two parts.
3You are ............... than I expected.
Wrong!
Use "later" for a time after the expected time.
4Bye! See you ...............!
Wrong!
Use "later" in the farewell phrase "See you later".
5She was happy when she got the job, but six months ............... she was fired.
Wrong!
Use "later" after a time phrase to show that something happened after that period.
6He said that he would finish the job ...............
Wrong!
Use "later" to mean at a future or subsequent time.
7I am not hungry now. I will have lunch ...............
Wrong!
Use "later" to mean not now, but at a future time.
Answers
- Most of us liked the latter suggestion.
- The former part of the film is more interesting than the latter part.
- You are later than I expected.
- Bye! See you later!
- She was happy when she got the job, but six months later she was fired.
- He said that he would finish the job later.
- I am not hungry now. I will have lunch later.
