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Tony Canard Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
the former, the latter
"There are interests of society and interests of individuals. And when the former and the latter encounter, an individual fails."
I'm afraid that if 'interests' is plural then 'the former' and 'the latter' aren't right. Maybe I should've written "the former ones and the latter ones"? Please tell me what you think.
I'm afraid that if 'interests' is plural then 'the former' and 'the latter' aren't right. Maybe I should've written "the former ones and the latter ones"? Please tell me what you think.
Top answer
Tony Canard I'm afraid that if 'interests' is plural then 'the former' and 'the latter' aren't right. No. The expressions 'the former' and 'the latter' are invariable.
- Tony Canard I'm afraid that if 'interests' is plural then 'the former' and 'the latter' aren't right.
- No.
- The expressions 'the former' and 'the latter' are invariable.
- Don't use the plural.
- "one" or "ones" is implied by the context.
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2 Answers
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Tony CanardI'm afraid that if 'interests' is plural then 'the former' and 'the latter' aren't right.No. The expressions 'the former' and 'the latter' are invariable. Don't use the plural. "one" or "ones" is implied by the context. You don't write it explicitly.
CJ
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"There are interests of society and interests of individuals. And when the former and the latter encounter, an individual fails."
I'm afraid that if 'interests' is plural then 'the former' and 'the latter' aren't right. Maybe I should've written "the former ones and the latter ones"? Please tell me what you think. Don't worry, plural and singular are both OK.
I'm afraid that if 'interests' is plural then 'the former' and 'the latter' aren't right. Maybe I should've written "the former ones and the latter ones"? Please tell me what you think. Don't worry, plural and singular are both OK.
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