前者…后者…
the former …, the latter …
Structure
A 和／或者 B ， 前者 … ， 后者 …
What it means
The former …, the latter …: lets you comment on two things just named without repeating them.
How it is built
Name A and B，then 前者 + comment on A，后者 + comment on B: 理论和实践都重要，前者是基础，后者是目的 (Theory and practice both matter: the former is the basis, the latter the aim).
When to use it
A tidy device for essays, reports and formal talk. In casual speech people usually just repeat the nouns. It works only with exactly two items.
Watch out
前者 is always the first item mentioned and 后者 the second, so name both first, in the order you mean. With three or more items, don’t use them; repeat the nouns instead.
Examples
人们把字写在竹简或者丝绸上，前者太重，后者太贵。
People wrote on bamboo or silk; the former was too heavy, the latter too dear.
理论和实践都重要，前者是基础，后者是目的。
Theory and practice both matter: the former is the basis, the latter the aim.
Learn this in Lesson 80 · HSK 6–7: 四大发明 (The four great inventions)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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