first later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first later" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be a contradiction, as "first" implies something that comes before, while "later" indicates something that comes after. Example: "We will discuss the main points first later in the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The second iceberg, which was about one-third the size of the first, later broke into four pieces.

The New York Times - Science

The weather was bright, the trail gentle at first, later becoming rocky and steep, testing one's hip and knee power.

The Guardian - Travel

RZA said that he wrote many of the tracks for "A Better Tomorrow" on guitar, first, later voicing the compositions with samples or other instruments.

The New Yorker

Two for-profit private schools that took part in the programme at first later chose to become public charter schools, getting far more money per pupil.

The Economist

He allowed his two sons first, later his wife, to leave the island while staying behind to guard the house and his collection of French paintings and furniture.

The New York Times - Books

So, according to the report and E.P.A. scientists, the government improvised -- using occupational safety standards at first, later switching to E.P.A. standards that were more strict.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"Only 60 seconds later".

The New York Times - Sports

A second later — whoosh!

The New Yorker

Seconds later.

The Guardian

Seconds later, the doorbell rang.

The New York Times

Seconds later, Collins was ejected.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, use clearer and grammatically correct phrases like "initially, then" or "at first, later" to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity.

Common error

Don't combine "first" and "later" directly. This creates a redundant and grammatically awkward construction. Instead, use "at first, later" or separate the phases clearly using terms like "initially" and "then".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first later" functions as an adverbial phrase intended to express a sequence of events or stages. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically questionable, and this is related to the fact that it doesn't follow standard English syntax.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first later" is used to indicate a sequence of events but is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Although Ludwig identifies examples across News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, its usage is best avoided in formal writing. Instead, clearer alternatives like "at first, later" or "initially, then" should be preferred. The phrase's presence in varied sources suggests its common, albeit incorrect, usage in attempting to convey chronological order.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially, then

Replaces "first later" with common sequential adverbs.

at first, subsequently

Uses a more formal adverb to indicate what follows the initial state.

originally, afterwards

Similar to "at first, subsequently" but with slightly different connotations.

in the beginning, afterward

Highlights the start and then the subsequent action.

to begin with, next

Emphasizes the starting point and the immediate following action.

first, following that

More descriptive and emphasizes the chronological sequence.

at the outset, later on

Focuses on the initial situation and then a less specific later point.

initially, down the line

Combines a formal start with an informal way to describe future events.

at the start, in due course

Formal alternative that describes the expected passage of time.

first of all, subsequently

More emphatic, underlining the sequential nature of the events.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "first later"?

Phrases like "at first, later", "initially, then", or "first, subsequently" offer clearer and more acceptable ways to describe a sequence of events.

Is it ever correct to use "first later" in writing?

While "first later" appears in various contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's advisable to use more standard alternatives for better clarity and acceptance.

How can I use "at first, later" correctly in a sentence?

You can say, "The trail was gentle "at first", "later" becoming rocky and steep." This structure clearly shows the change over time.

What's the difference between "first later" and "first, then"?

"First, then" is a more standard and grammatically correct way to express a sequence. It clearly indicates two distinct steps, whereas "first later" is often seen as redundant and imprecise.