grammar · academic

the former of which + S + V

Band 7+task2speaking

Refers back to the first of two items mentioned and provides information about that first item.

Examples

“They considered two proposals, the former of which included community input.”

“I bought tea and coffee, the former of which I prefer.”

“Two films were nominated, the former of which was a documentary.”

Band 8 sentence

“Two strategies were evaluated, the former of which demonstrated clear long‑term benefits.”

Collocations

  • the former of which included
  • the former of which was

Common mistakes

the former which→the former of which

the former of whom (for things)→the former of which (for things)

Say it for a higher band

5the former→6the former which→7+the former of which + S + V

Synonyms

the first of which

Easily confused

the latter of which

“He gave two examples, the latter of which was more convincing.”

Related words

defining vs non-defining relative clauses (use of commas and that/which/who), who + Vthe + superlative + N + (that) + S + Veach of whom + V, which is why + S + VIndefinite pronouns + who/that + V (someone/anyone/anything + who/that)the majority of + N + who + Vthose who + V

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