* The former: This is a common way to refer to the first of two things mentioned, especially when contrasting them.
* The first: This is a simple and straightforward way to identify the first item.
* The first-mentioned: This is a more formal way to refer to the first item.
* The prior: This is a more formal and less common alternative to "former."
* The first-named: This emphasizes that the item was named first.
Here are some examples:
* "John and Mary went to the store. The former bought groceries, while the latter bought clothes." (Here, "former" refers to John.)
* "The cat and the dog were playing. The first was chasing the second." (Here, "the first" refers to the cat.)
* "The car and the truck were parked in the driveway. The first-mentioned was red, while the second was blue." (Here, "the first-mentioned" refers to the car.)
Ultimately, the best way to refer to the first of two things mentioned depends on the specific sentence and your desired level of formality.