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the formerthe first of two people or things mentioned

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the first of two people or things mentioned

Pronunciation (IPA): /ðə ˈfɔːrmər/

Example Sentences

  • I offered him coffee or tea, and he chose the former.
  • Between studying all night or sleeping early, the former seems impossible during finals.
  • She's torn between chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream, but the former always wins.

the former

NOUN

[/ðə ˈfɔːrmər/]

the first of two people or things mentioned

Between two job offers, she chose the former because it paid more.
💡 Concept

Between two job offers, she chose the former because it paid more.

The former is a graceful performer, the latter a mighty transformer!
🎵 Rhyme

The former is a graceful performer, the latter a mighty transformer!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ðə ˈfɔːrmər/
🇬🇧 UK/ðə ˈfɔːmə/

🌳Etymology

Rootform
Suffix--er

🎵Rhyme

warmerperformertransformer
warmer
performer
transformer

🔗Collocations

choose the former
prefer the former
the former option
the former case
the former president
between the former and latter

📝Examples

I offered him coffee or tea, and he chose the former.

😄 Fun example

Between studying all night or sleeping early, the former seems impossible during finals.

She's torn between chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream, but the former always wins.

😄 Fun example

The teacher asked if we wanted a pop quiz or homework, and everyone screamed 'the former!'

📚Related Words

Synonyms

the firstthe previousthe earlier

Antonyms

the latterthe secondthe later

Related

formerpreviouspriorearlierfirst-mentioned

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