last-mentioned / latter
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last-mentioned
Refers to the last element mentioned in a previous list of two or more things.
Wir diskutierten über Plan A und Plan B, aber nur der letztgenannte schien wirklich umsetzbar.
We discussed Plan A and Plan B, but only the latter seemed truly feasible.
This word is a compound of 'letzt-' (from 'letzte', last) and 'genannt' (named/mentioned), the past participle of 'nennen' (to name/call). So it literally means 'the one mentioned last'.
Von den beiden Optionen bevorzuge ich die letztgenannte.
Of the two options, I prefer the latter.
'Letztgenannt' (last-mentioned) is used almost exclusively in written language or in formal contexts. It helps avoid repetition when referring to something mentioned earlier.
Die Studie analysiert die wirtschaftliche und die soziale Entwicklung; besonders die letztgenannte zeigt positive Tendenzen.
The study analyzes economic and social development; the latter in particular shows positive trends.
The word can stand before a noun as a normal adjective or be nominalized and used as a noun itself. In both cases, it is declined.
Der letztgenannte Punkt der Tagesordnung ist besonders wichtig.
The last-mentioned item on the agenda is especially important.
aforementioned
'vorgenannt' and 'letztgenannt' both refer to something that has already been mentioned. 'vorgenannt' can generally refer to a previously mentioned person or thing. 'letztgenannt' is more precise: it refers only to the last item in a previous list. The words can be confused because both point back to the text or conversation. If several things were mentioned and you mean the last one, 'letztgenannt' is more precise. If you only want to say that something has already been mentioned, 'vorgenannt' fits.
Anna und Sofia haben sich beworben; die letztgenannte Kandidatin hat schon viel Erfahrung.
Anna and Sofia applied; the latter candidate already has a lot of experience.
Die vorgenannte Regel gilt auch für Besucher des Parks.
The aforementioned rule also applies to visitors to the park.