few points later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few points later" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey a future reference to points made later in a discussion or text, but it lacks clarity and grammatical structure. Example: "I will address a few points later in my presentation regarding the project's timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A few points later, on a backhand slugged into the net, Agassi's serve was broken.

The New York Times - Sports

A few points later, Robson sent a backhand wide to narrowly gift the opening set to Kanepi.

The Guardian - Sport

Zvonareva clinched her spot in the fourth round a few points later, firing off her sixth ace on match point for a 6-4, 7-5 victory.

The New York Times

Nadal leveled the game at deuce, but Ferrer earned another a few points later once he was able to force Nadal into a badly mistimed forehand.

The New York Times

Gibbs took advantage, breaking a few points later to prevent a bagel, much to the delight of the vocal Stanford partisans in attendance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The more advantage an incumbent builds after his convention, the more he'll be able to tolerate shedding a few points in the polls later.

The New York Times

So was the pattern for the insurgency we're seeing now set in those first few weeks, or were there points later on when it could have been avoided?

The New Yorker

A few months and several data points later, however, that possibility was ruled out.

Los Angeles Times

When I later telephone Heath to clarify a few points, I ask what his most important achievements were.

The Guardian

So, a few points.

The New York Times

First, a few points.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, replace "few points later" with more precise temporal phrases like "shortly afterwards" or "a few moments later" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "few points later" when a more specific time reference is needed. Instead, provide context for the time frame, such as "a few minutes later" or "after a brief pause".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few points later" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to indicate a temporal sequence. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not considered standard English, and more precise alternatives are preferable for clarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "few points later" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable and not standard English. It attempts to convey a temporal relationship, suggesting that something occurred shortly after a previous event. For clearer and more precise communication, especially in formal writing, it is recommended to use alternatives such as "a few moments later", "shortly afterwards", or "subsequently". The frequency of the expression is uncommon, primarily found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few moments after

Specifies a short duration following a previous moment.

soon after that

Highlights the proximity in time between two events.

shortly afterwards

Emphasizes a brief time interval following a previous event or statement.

following that

A more direct and concise way of saying something happened after.

a little while later

Indicates a slightly longer, less precise duration than "shortly afterwards".

thereafter

Formal term indicating that something happened after a specific point in time.

subsequently

A more formal term indicating that something happened after a previous event.

in due course

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

in the aftermath

Describes events happening after a significant event, often with negative connotations.

in the fullness of time

Indicates that something will happen when the time is right, often implying a longer wait.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "few points later"?

You can use phrases like "a few moments later", "shortly afterwards", or "subsequently" depending on the context.

Is "few points later" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used, "few points later" is not considered standard English. It's better to use more precise language to indicate the passage of time.

How can I use a more precise phrase instead of "few points later"?

Consider the specific time frame you want to convey. For a short time, use "a few seconds later" or "immediately after". For a longer period, use "a few minutes later" or "after a brief period".

What's the difference between "few points later" and "a few moments later"?

"A few moments later" is a clearer and more grammatically correct way to indicate that something happened shortly after a previous event. "Few points later" is often considered too vague.