Word · Frequency #588
formers
前者；首先提到的那个
formers is the plural of former.
the first of two people or things mentioned
通常与 the 连用
- 1.
Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.
形成者；制造者；创始人
- 2.
the first of two or the first mentioned of two
两者中的第一个或首先被提及的一个
- 3.
An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die.
用于成型的物体,如模板、量规或切割模具
形成者；创造者；创始人；成形器；模具；模板；形成者；制造者；创始人；两者中的第一个或首先被提及的一个；用于成型的物体,如模板、量规或切割模具
In use
Between coffee and tea, I prefer the former.
The former of the two options is more practical.
Of the two candidates, the former has more experience.
Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today
Connections
Collocations
- the former
- 前者（两者中首先被提及的一个）
- I was offered tea or coffee, but I chose the former.有人让我在茶和咖啡之间选择，但我选择了前者。
- opinion former
- 舆论塑造者；意见领袖
- Tech influencers have become powerful opinion formers.科技领域的影响者已成为强大的舆论塑造者。
- shoe former
- 鞋楦（制鞋用的成形器）
- A good shoe former helps the leather keep its shape.好的鞋楦有助于皮革保持形状。
Synonyms
- the first
- 第一个 · 用于两者对比时可替换 former；但 first 也可指三个以上中的第一个，因此当语境超出两者时要改用 first 而不是 former。
- the first-mentioned
- 首先提到的那个 · 比 former 更正式，常见于书面列举；通常带 the，强调在已提到的对象中排第一。
Antonyms
Learner notes
Memory Tip
记忆联想：former = form（形成）+ -er（者），所以是‘形成者/制造者’；又因‘前者’排在前，记住 form 开头的 f-o-r 像‘在前’即可。
Context & Register
语域：formal 常见场景：academic writing、formal speeches 表示“两者中的前者”时，通常用于正式书面语或正式演讲中，常与 the latter 对举。日常口语中较少用，口语里更常说 the first one。
Grammar Note
作为名词时，通常与定冠词the连用，指代两个事物中的第一个。
Pronunciation & Spelling
真正与 former (/ˈfɔrmɝ/) 押韵的词都带 -ormer 结尾，重音在 /fɔr/，如 reformer、performer、transformer、informer。注意 formal (/ˈfɔrməl/) 和 formula (/ˈfɔrmjələ/) 拼写相似，但结尾读音不同，不押韵。
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 5，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.