but not later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not later" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify a deadline or a time frame, indicating that something should happen before a certain point but not after. Example: "Please submit your report by Friday, but not later than noon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But not later?" "Yes, of course.

The New Yorker

Embryonic expression was observed at day 7, but not later in embryogenesis.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

In one animal exposed to five booms, changes of the hearing thresholds were observed 24 hours following the exposure, but not later.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

See, they had teaser loans they could pay at first, but not later.

The Washington Post

The authors note that early interventions tend to boost test scores immediately but not later in life.

The Economist

The duties are to go into effect at an unspecified date, but not later than Jan . 30

The New York Times

As soon as possible, but not later than the end of the third year, the candidate must have passed reading examinations in two additional foreign languages.

Stanford University

In Durban, governments decided to adopt a universal legal agreement on climate change as soon as possible, but not later than 2015.

University of California, Berkeley

Language Requirements—As soon as possible, but not later than the end of the third year, the candidate must have passed reading examinations in two additional foreign languages.

Stanford University

Repair of such equipment shall be completed as soon as practical, but not later than the end of the next closed vent system shutdown.

Cornell University

The hearing official shall issue a final decision at the earliest practicable date, but not later than 60 days after the filing of the petition requesting the hearing.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting deadlines, clearly state the date and time using "but not later" to avoid ambiguity. For example: "Please submit the documents by Friday, but not later than 5 PM."

Common error

Avoid using "but not later" without a clearly defined reference point. Saying "Submit it, but not later" is vague. Instead, specify: "Submit it by the end of the week, but not later."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not later" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause by indicating a time constraint or deadline. Ludwig shows that it typically follows a specific date or time, setting an outer limit beyond which something should not occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but not later" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to specify deadlines or time constraints. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across various fields, especially in academia, news, and scientific writing. When using "but not later", ensure a clear reference point for the timeframe. Alternatives like "but no later than" or "at the latest" can be used to add emphasis or formality. Be precise to avoid ambiguity and ensure your communication is clear and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but no later than

Replaces "not later" with "no later than" to emphasize the deadline, adding a slight increase in formality.

but not after

Uses "after" instead of "later" to specify a time boundary, implying that something should occur before a given point in time.

but not subsequently

Replaces "later" with "subsequently", introducing a more formal and sequential tone.

but not beyond

Substitutes "later" with "beyond" to define a limit that should not be exceeded, adding a sense of constraint.

but not thereafter

Employs "thereafter" instead of "later" to indicate a point from which something should not occur, adding a touch of formality.

at the latest

Uses the phrase "at the latest" to explicitly express the final acceptable time for an event or action.

by the deadline

Specifies the constraint more directly by using a explicit deadline.

before that time

Indicates an action should happen before a mentioned time.

prior to then

Replaces "later" with "then" and "but not" with "prior to", adding a formal and temporal aspect.

not in the aftermath

Indicates an action should happen, but not after an event occurs.

FAQs

How can I use "but not later" in a sentence?

The phrase "but not later" is used to specify a deadline or timeframe. For example, "The report must be submitted by Friday, "but not later" than noon."

What phrases are similar to "but not later"?

Alternatives include "but no later than", "but not after", or "at the latest". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

How formal is the phrase "but not later"?

The phrase "but not later" is suitable for both neutral and professional contexts. More formal alternatives exist, such as "subsequently" or "thereafter", which may be preferable in highly formal writing.

Is it redundant to use "but not later" after specifying a date?

Using "but not later" after a specific date can add emphasis and clarity, especially if there's a specific time of day that serves as the cut-off. For example, "Submit the application by August 1st, "but not later" than 5 PM" clarifies the submission deadline.