by later

USAGE SUMMARY

"by later" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a point in time in the future, especially when you are talking or writing about an event that will occur sometime after that point. For example, "I'll give you a call by later this evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She and Alex might stop by later".

Vice

Timaeus was bitterly attacked by later historians, especially Polybius.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Further charters were granted by later English monarchs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By later standards, the DC-3 was massively over-engineered.

The Economist

The fundamental myth, however, was sometimes supplemented by later additions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They would stop by later to collect it.

The New York Times

Judging by later academic reputations, they got quite a group!

The New York Times

The work was frequently used by later scholars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His history, in turn, was much used by later writers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Longer and longer routes became established by later sailors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By later that year, they were living together.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by later" when you want to indicate that something will occur at some unspecified time in the future, relative to a known or understood reference point. For example, "I'll finish the report by later this week" implies it will be done sometime after now but before the week's end.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "by later" can sound informal or vague in certain contexts. In professional documents or academic papers, consider using more precise alternatives like "subsequently", "at a later date", or specifying a precise timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by later" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action will occur. Ludwig AI confirms its usage is grammatically correct. Examples include "They would stop by later to collect it".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by later" is a grammatically sound way to indicate that something will occur at an unspecified time in the future. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context. It tends to be more informal, making it suitable for casual conversations or news articles but potentially less appropriate for formal academic or business writing. More precise alternatives like "subsequently" or specifying a particular date or time are often preferable in those settings. Its function is usually as an adverbial phrase, adding information about when an action will take place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a later time

More explicit and less concise.

subsequently

Focuses on the sequence of events, indicating that something happens after a specific point.

afterward

Similar to 'subsequently', but slightly less formal.

at a future date

More formal than "by later".

in due course

Suggests that something will happen at an appropriate time in the future.

eventually

Suggests that something will happen after a period of time.

down the line

Implies a more distant point in the future.

in the future

General and broad term that can be substituted.

in the fullness of time

Suggests something will happen when the time is right, often implying patience.

in the sequel

Suggests it comes after the original event.

FAQs

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

You can use "by later" to indicate that something will happen at an unspecified time in the future, after the current time or a known reference point. For example, "They will stop "by later" to collect it" or "I'll contact you "by later" this evening".

What are some alternatives to using "by later"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "subsequently", "afterward", "at a later time", or "eventually". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "by later" formal or informal?

"By later" tends to be more informal. In formal or professional writing, it's generally better to use more precise language, such as "at a later date" or specifying a particular time.

What's the difference between "by later" and "later on"?

Both phrases refer to a time in the future. "By later" suggests something will happen before a certain point, while "later on" simply indicates a subsequent time. "I'll finish it "by later" today" means before the end of the day; "I'll finish it "later on"" just means at some point after now.