but later on

USAGE SUMMARY

"but later on" is a perfectly correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a different course of action is taken after a certain point in time. For example, "He had planned to go to the beach, but later on he changed his mind and decided to go to the movies instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But later on, doubt creeps in.

The Guardian

The money isn't deductible, but later on, withdrawals are tax free.

Forbes

Initially, livestock and beef prices remained stable, but later on, a sustained domestic and foreign demand pushed them up.

Agricultural and Food Economics

But later on, those pedantic questions disappear just as they do in management consulting.

TechCrunch

We will therefore concentrate on their constructions, but later on will indicate how to adapt that constructions to the more general case.

Mathematical Sciences

At first I did not agree, but later on, a neighbor living next door to us had a second child and that was so ideal.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

But later on, everybody kind of participated.

Los Angeles Times

But later on, you're 27, 28, you've learned what to say 'yes' to with more judiciousness".

Huffington Post

I wasn't being myself for half an hour, one hour, but later on I had a good sleep.

The New York Times

But, later on, they love me".

The New Yorker

"But later on".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "but later on" with specific time markers to enhance clarity, such as "but later on that day" or "but later on in the week".

Common error

Avoid using "but later on" without a clear reference point in time. Without context, it can be unclear when the 'later' event is supposed to occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but later on" functions as a transitional phrase that connects two contrasting ideas or events, indicating a shift in time or circumstance. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse sentences from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but later on" is a versatile transitional phrase used to indicate a shift in time or circumstances. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "but subsequently" or "afterwards" exist, "but later on" provides a clear and accessible way to signal a change in events. When using the phrase, ensure that the timeline is clear and that the 'later' event is adequately contextualized for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but subsequently

Focuses on the immediate following action or event.

but afterwards

Indicates something that happens at a time subsequent to a reference time.

but eventually

Suggests a longer period before the change occurs.

but in the end

Emphasizes the final outcome after a period of time or effort.

but down the line

Indicates a future point in time, often with implications for planning or considering consequences.

however, in due course

Implies that something will happen when the time is right or when conditions are suitable.

yet further along

Suggests progression and advancement to a more distant stage.

though with time

Highlights the influence of time on the evolution or modification of something.

although in the future

Specifically points to future occurrences or developments.

still as time passed

Focuses on the continuous passing of time and its effect on events.

FAQs

How can I use "but later on" in a sentence?

Use "but later on" to indicate a change or development after an initial situation. For example, "Initially, he was hesitant, but later on, he embraced the idea."

What are some alternatives to "but later on"?

You can use alternatives like "but subsequently", "but afterwards", or "but eventually" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "but later" and "but later on"?

While both phrases indicate a time difference, "but later on" often emphasizes the passing of time or a more significant delay compared to "but later".

Can "but later on" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "but later on" is acceptable in both formal and informal writing, although more formal alternatives like "subsequently" might be preferred in certain contexts.