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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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The former shall prevail

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the former shall prevail" is correct and usable in written English
It can be used as a way of expressing that the earlier or previously mentioned statement or situation is more important than the current one. For example, "This may not be my original plan, but the former shall prevail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The former shall be dealt in our analysis in the next section.

Therefore, the latter shall be termed "Markov cycle," while the former shall be termed "administration cycle".

Soon, the horses shall prevail as horses have prevailed through time.

News & Media

The New York Times

If there is any conflict between these terms and specific local terms appearing elsewhere on ukchina.com (including house rules) then the latter shall prevail.

News & Media

BBC

But sooner or later, the truth shall prevail.

News & Media

HuffPost

Government is in the hands of realists and in the end we shall prevail.

News & Media

The New York Times

"And in the end, he shall prevail".

I will always preserve the human dignity, which shall prevail.

News & Media

Huffington Post

But Lincoln's words give us confidence that whatever trials avail us, this nation and the freedom we cherish can, and shall, prevail.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Mohamed's voice will never be silenced; it will remain alive through me and justice shall prevail in the months to come.

News & Media

Huffington Post

"I have the secret of Aurora and the courage of Borealis," says Striker. "And I shall prevail.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "the former shall prevail" when you want to emphasize the importance of a previous statement or idea over a more recent one. Ensure the context clearly defines what 'the former' refers to.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "the former shall prevail" if it's unclear what 'the former' is referring to. Always ensure the context provides a clear antecedent to prevent confusion.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the former shall prevail" functions as a declarative statement, asserting the dominance or ultimate success of something previously mentioned. It's used to emphasize a prior point or decision over more recent information.

Expression frequency: Missing

✓ Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

⚠ Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the former shall prevail" is a grammatically correct phrase used to assert the dominance of a previously mentioned idea. While grammatically sound and marked as correct by Ludwig AI, its usage is infrequent. It's best used in formal contexts where clarity and emphasis on a prior point are crucial. When using this phrase, ensure the 'former' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives for broader audiences.

FAQs

How can I use "the former shall prevail" in a sentence?

Use "the former shall prevail" to indicate that an earlier idea, option, or condition is more important or will ultimately be the case. For example: "Despite new evidence, the initial assessment was accurate; therefore, "the former shall prevail"."

What does "the former shall prevail" mean?

It means that of two things just mentioned, the first one will be the one that succeeds or is more important. It's a way of prioritizing an earlier point or decision over a more recent one.

Are there more common alternatives to "the former shall prevail"?

While "the former shall prevail" is grammatically correct, simpler alternatives like "the former will win" or "the original plan will succeed" might be more readily understood by a wider audience. Consider the audience and context when choosing your phrasing.

How does "the former shall prevail" differ from "the latter shall prevail"?

"The former shall prevail" means the first option or idea will be more important, whereas "the latter shall prevail" indicates the second or last option mentioned will be more important.

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Real-world application tested

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