former and latter. The former refers back to the first of two previously mentioned things or people, the latter to the second. They are used to avoid tedious or awkward repetition: Given the choice of being vilified by a newspaper or being ignored by it, I would instinctively opt for the former. They should never be used when more than two things are listed. In that case use first, first-named, second, last etc. They should also be avoided when it is not absolutely and immediately clear what they refer to