Forementioned or Aforementioned – The Difference and Correct Usage
When it comes to written communication, whether it’s an academic paper, email, or even a social media post, the right choice of words can make all the difference. Two such words that are often used interchangeably but have a subtle difference are ‘forementioned’ and ‘aforementioned’. In this article, we’ll explore what sets them apart, how to use them correctly and most importantly, how to optimize it for SEO.
Forementioned and Aforementioned – Definitions
Forementioned is an adjective that means ‘previous’ or ‘earlier mentioned’. It refers to something that has already been mentioned in a piece of writing, possibly in the preceding paragraph or sentence.
On the other hand, Aforementioned is an adjective that means ‘previously mentioned’ or ‘aforenamed’. It also refers to something already stated in the text, but it has the added implication that the object or event was mentioned earlier, perhaps at the start of the piece of writing.
Difference Between Forementioned and Aforementioned
The difference between the two terms may seem subtle, but the usage depends on their placement in the sentence. Forementioned comes after the noun being described, making it a post-positioned adjective. Aforementioned, however, comes before the noun or pronoun being modified, making it a pre-positioned adjective.
For example,
“In paragraph one, the forementioned study was cited.” (referring to a previous mention in the text)
“In the first paragraph, the aforementioned study was mentioned.” (implying that the study was already mentioned at the beginning)
In the second sentence, ‘aforementioned’ is the better choice as it emphasizes the fact that the study was mentioned earlier in the text.
Correct Usage of Forementioned and Aforementioned
– Use Forementioned when describing something that has been mentioned before in the preceding sentence or paragraph.
Example: “The doctor prescribed medication for the fever. In addition, the forementioned treatments were also recommended.”
– Use Aforementioned when referring to a previously mentioned object or event with emphasis on its prior mention or placement in the text.
Example: “The meeting was adjourned abruptly due to unforeseen circumstances. The aforementioned decision was then communicated in an email to all stakeholders.”
SEO Optimization
Optimizing an article for SEO is essential to improving its visibility and ranking in search engines. Here are some tips for optimizing an article about aforementioned and forementioned:
1. Keyword research: Before writing, conduct thorough keyword research on what phrases or words people search for the most. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs or Moz to find profitable keywords for the article.
2. Title tags and meta descriptions: Make sure the target keyword is included in the title tag and meta description. These are what appear on search engine results pages and are critical for enticing users to click through to the article.
3. Body content: Use the keyword in the opening and closing paragraphs and at least once in the main body of the article. However, avoid overusing the keyword as Google penalizes keyword stuffing.
4. Headers: Use headers to break up content and make it more readable for readers and search engines. Include the target keyword in at least one subheader and use H2 or H3 tags.
5. Internal linking: Include internal linking to other articles on the website where appropriate. This helps to boost the authority of the webpage and enhances its ranking potential.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although the difference between ‘forementioned’ and ‘aforementioned’ may seem insignificant, it’s crucial to use them correctly in written communication for clarity and coherence. For SEO optimization, it’s important to conduct keyword research and use the target keyword in the title tag, meta description, subheaders and body content while avoiding keyword stuffing. Follow these tips to optimize an article about forementioned and aforementioned to improve its ranking potential and visibility on search engines.