at later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at later" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to refer to a future time but should be rephrased for clarity. Example: "We will discuss this matter at a later time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Funeral Mass at later date.

The New York Times

Memorial at later date.

The New York Times

Memorial service at later date.

The New York Times

Memorial Service announcement at later date.

The New York Times

At later points, she seriously considered calling it off.

Independent

A memorial will be held at later date.

The New York Times

Other provisions of the bill take effect at later dates.

The New York Times

At later stages, precipitation evolves towards finer pore sizes.

Construction and Building Materials

At later times (several hours), fibers grow predominantly through elongation.

Biophysical Journal

Moreover, synesthetes' Simon effects occurred at later response times.

Cortex

There were no differences at later time points.

Appetite

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to convey that something will occur at a non-specific time after the present, use "at a later time" or "at a later date" instead of "at later".

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "a" before "later". Saying "at later" is not grammatically correct. Instead, use "at a later stage", "at a later time" or "at a later date".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at later" functions as an adverbial phrase, typically intended to modify a verb or clause by indicating when something occurs. However, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incomplete and requires the addition of the article "a" to be correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

22%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at later" appears frequently across various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, the absence of the article "a" makes the phrase incomplete. To ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "at a later time", "at a later date", or "subsequently", depending on the context. Remember to always aim for precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a later time

This phrase specifies a future, unspecified point. Using the article "a" makes the expression grammatically correct.

at a subsequent time

This indicates a time following the current one, suitable for formal contexts. It is grammatically correct.

at a later stage

This alternative is context-dependent, this refers to a phase in a process that will happen after a specific point.

at a future date

This phrase is often used when scheduling events or making plans, implying a specific date will be set.

subsequently

This alternative focuses on the sequence of events, indicating that something happens after the initial action. It is shorter and more concise.

in the future

This is a general way of referring to any time after the present.

in due course

Implies something will happen when appropriate or expected, suggesting a natural progression.

down the line

This suggests something will happen further into the future. It is an informal and conversational option.

further down the road

Similar to "down the line", this indicates a future time, often in the context of plans or developments.

in the fullness of time

This suggests that something will happen when the time is right, often implying patience.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of "at later" in a sentence?

To properly convey the intended meaning, use phrases like "at a later time", "at a later date", or "at a subsequent time" instead.

What are some formal alternatives to "at later"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "subsequently", "at a subsequent stage", or "in due course".

Is it ever correct to say "at later"?

In standard English, "at later" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It is better to use a phrase with the article "a", such as "at a later time".

What's the difference between "at a later time" and "at a later date"?

"At a later time" is a general expression referring to some point in the future. "At a later date" specifically implies that the event will occur on a specific day in the future.