8 句中的latter是否使用不当

Since the commander of the supply company was also deputy battalion commander, the new organization enabled the latter to focus exclusively on combat duties, while the former took exclusive care of any logistical and administrative needs.


各位老师好,请问句子中的latter是否使用得当?

因为句中说,勤务连长和副营长是同一个人,按逻辑理解的话,这里的latter指的应该是正营长才对。但是latter在这里是否能够指代“battalion commander ”而不是“deputy battalion commander ”?这样的用法是否正确?


希望老师解惑,谢谢!

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最佳答案 2021-02-10 22:46

根据上下文,作者的这句话有误,做如下改动后逻辑就通了:

Since the commander of the supply company was also deputy of the battalion commander, the new organization enabled the latter to focus exclusively on combat duties, while the former took exclusive care of any logistical and administrative needs.

加上黑体部分的 of the, the latter就指the battalion commander, 而the former指 连长(即副营长,二者为同一人),the latter 和 the former的各自分工就明确了。否则the latter无法指正营长。

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王汝涛   - 英语教师
擅长:英语翻译,词法问题,英语考试

这个说的很清楚啊,前面提到的是后勤保障连连长,后面提到的是副营长,但这俩个职位由同一人担任。所以the latter 指deputy battalion commander(副营长),the former 指 the commander of the supply company(后勤保障连连长)。不能颠倒指代的。

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  • SgtMitchell 提出于 2021-02-10 18:08