Quick Fix: If you need the opposite of “aforementioned,” the standard term is “undermentioned”—just drop it where you’d normally say “aforementioned.”
What's Happening
When you write and need to point readers backward in the same document, English offers “aforementioned,” meaning “previously mentioned.” The natural counterpart—something you’ll mention later—is “undermentioned.” It’s the quiet sibling of “aforementioned,” rarely used but grammatically sound.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Locate your reference point. Find the sentence that points to future content.
- Insert “undermentioned.” Type it directly where you’d say “aforementioned,” keeping the same syntax:
The undermentioned policy updates take effect Q3 2026. - Check for hyphenation. If “undermentioned” acts as an adjective before a noun, keep it solid: “undermentioned section.” If it trails the noun, drop the hyphen: “the examples undermentioned.”
- Reread aloud. If it sounds stilted, rewrite around it. Example:
Updates effective Q3 2026 are listed below.
If This Didn’t Work
- Use “following” instead. It’s more common and clearer:
The following guidelines update Q3 2026 policies. - Restructure the sentence. Move the reference forward to avoid the entire issue:
Q3 2026 policy updates are detailed below. - Call it “below” or “next.” Informal but effective in emails and slide decks:
Details on Q3 2026 policies are below.
Prevention Tips
Adopt consistent labeling from the start. Decide once whether your document will use “aforementioned”/“undermentioned,” “above”/“below,” or numbered sections. Standardize in your style guide so future writers don’t have to guess. If you’re writing for a global audience, favor “below” or “following,” which are universally understood and avoid the archaic ring of “undermentioned.”
