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I thought that "Faire mes devoirs ou dormir, je préfère ceci plutôt que cela." meant "I prefer the latter (dormir) rather than the former (devoirs)"

S. M.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I thought that "Faire mes devoirs ou dormir, je préfère ceci plutôt que cela." meant "I prefer the latter (dormir) rather than the former (devoirs)"

But the Note says that ceci means former and cela means latter.  Which is correct?

This question relates to:French lesson "Ceci/Cela = this/that (French Demonstrative Pronouns)"
Asked 5 years ago
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Claire S.A1Kwiziq community member

Yeah, I could have sworn that ceci was the latter and cela was the former. 

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S. M.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

If we are correct, then the Lesson is incorrect and should be changed.  If we are incorrect, then some textbooks need to be changed!

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Diego B.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

It is the other way round, indeed: cela (former) / ceci (latter). Same as with -ci / -la in https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/glossary/pronoun-type/pronoms-demonstratifs-demonstrative-pronouns. It definitely makes sense, the former being "further" than the latter somehow.

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S. M. asked:View original

I thought that "Faire mes devoirs ou dormir, je préfère ceci plutôt que cela." meant "I prefer the latter (dormir) rather than the former (devoirs)"

But the Note says that ceci means former and cela means latter.  Which is correct?

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