a later existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a later existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a future state of being or life that occurs after a certain point in time or event. Example: "The philosopher speculated about the possibility of a later existence beyond our current life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Maybe wisdom and understanding are reserved for a later existence and maybe they aren't for us at all, ever.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We know by instinct," wrote the novelist WG Sebald, in Austerlitz, "that outsize buildings cast the shadow of their own destruction before them, and are designed from the first with an eye to their later existence as ruins".

Independent

"This Is Orson Welles" benefited from the tragic dimensions of its subject's life: Welles's early success as a boy wonder, his bitter rejection by Hollywood, his peripatetic later existence, his reduced circumstances, his unfulfilled dreams.

The New York Times - Books

Another reason for the reluctance to donate organs is the common belief that all the body's parts should be subjected to the appropriate funerary rites; a missing part would mar the entropically challenging reassembly expected in some later existence.

The New York Times

In fact, every time I read the remark again I find myself laughing – not at Geri et al, which says something about how Mandela elevates even the cynical, but with him, who somehow contrived to tread the most elegant path through the unique absurdities of much of his later existence.

The Guardian - Opinion

From the study of problem (11), we will deduce later existence and localization results for problem (10).

Boundary Value Problems

However, there is no accurate population information available for much of the Walled City's later existence.

Wikipedia

Jan Bondeson (1992 and 2006) proposed that, while the names "Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst" are not recorded in any early documents and are likely to have been a later addition, the existence of the twins and the claimed 1100 year of birth cannot be dismissed.

Wikipedia

In one, a later publication recalled the existence of a placebo control group (t07r3).

British Medical Journal

About a decade later, the existence of large-bodied individuals within N. flemingeri was reported from samples collected in the Northwestern Pacific off Japan and in the Okhotsk Sea [11], [16].

Plosone

Similar observations led scientists in a later study to posit the existence in one patient of a "Halle Berry neuron".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a later existence", ensure the context makes it clear whether you are referring to a future life, afterlife, or a later phase within the current life.

Common error

Avoid using "a later existence" in casual conversation; it's generally more appropriate for philosophical or academic discussions. Simpler terms might be better suited for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a later existence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a state of being that follows the current one. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

20%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a later existence" is a noun phrase that refers to a subsequent or future state of being, often used in philosophical or theological contexts to discuss life after death or different phases of existence. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English. Its usage is relatively rare but grammatically correct, appearing in sources such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Encyclopedia Britannica. When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended meaning, whether it's a future life, an afterlife, or a phase within the current life.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a future life

Focuses specifically on life after death or a subsequent period of living.

a subsequent existence

Uses a more formal term, "subsequent", to indicate something following in time.

a life hereafter

Specifically refers to life after death, often with religious connotations.

a future state of being

Broader and more abstract, encompassing any future condition or state.

a later stage of life

Refers to a more advanced phase within a single lifetime.

a succeeding phase

Highlights the sequential aspect of a phase that follows another.

an afterlife

Specifically denotes existence after death, often in a spiritual or religious context.

a coming existence

Emphasizes the anticipation or expectation of a future state.

a post-mortem existence

Directly refers to existence after death, primarily in a scientific or philosophical discussion.

a continued presence

Implies an ongoing state of being or influence after a specific event or time.

FAQs

How can I use "a later existence" in a sentence?

You can use "a later existence" when discussing the possibility of life after death or a future state of being. For example, "The philosopher contemplated the nature of "a later existence"".

What's a good substitute for "a later existence"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a future life", "an afterlife", or "a subsequent existence".

Is "a later existence" formal or informal?

"A later existence" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic, philosophical, or theological discussions, not everyday conversation.

Does "a later existence" always refer to life after death?

While it often refers to life after death or "an afterlife", "a later existence" can also refer to a future phase or state of being within the same life, depending on the context.