first or later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first or later" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are discussing options or sequences of events, but it would be clearer to use more conventional phrasing. Example: "You can choose to complete the task first or later, depending on your schedule."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Participants: Patients served by the SCIMS, for whom complete motor FIM information was available for rehabilitation admission (N=5969), discharge (N=5964), or follow-up at a first or later anniversary (N=5176).

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

We found that the maximum peak was distributed around the first or later envelope within a certain period and it strongly depended on the relative spatial geometry between the ship and the transponder (Fig. 2a, b).

Earth, Planets and Space

The first finding from this 6-year study conducted in an era of highly endemic ESBL-PE rate is the high proportion (43%) of pneumonia caused by ESBL-PE in carriers having a first or later episode of ICUAP occurring after detection of ESBL-PE carriage.

Annals of Intensive Care

Twentypercentt of patients died in first or later relapse.

Annals of Hematology

Of the 29 total deaths, 10 were due to ED, eight due to first or later relapse, and 11 patients died in CR.

Annals of Hematology

The members ranged from those trying to conceive, those experiencing their first or later pregnancies, to mothers sharing their experiences of pregnancy from 20 years ago.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Analyses on gender differences in parents expecting their first or later-born child showed similar results as those obtained from the whole sample.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Patients who met the cohort entry eligibility criteria were further categorized into 3 subgroups by line of therapy (first-, secord-, or third-line or later) with nab-paclitaxel.

BMC Cancer

Median TNTD was 6.1 months (7.1, 6.6, and 5.3 months in first-, second-, and third-line or later therapy, respectively).

BMC Cancer

Before 2007, any game called with the score tied in the bottom of the fifth or later would start over.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the first time since June 30 that Bruney pitched in the eighth or later when the Yankees led by two runs or less.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first or later", ensure the context clearly indicates a choice between doing something immediately or postponing it. If greater precision is needed, consider using more specific temporal markers like "initially" or "subsequently".

Common error

Avoid using "first or later" when the timing is ambiguous. If the sequence or timeframe isn't clear, rephrase to specify when the action should occur, such as "immediately" or "at a designated time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first or later" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a choice of timing. Examples from Ludwig suggest usage in various contexts, such as medical studies and news reports, where the timing of events or actions is considered. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase can be improved with more conventional phrasing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first or later" is used to denote a choice in timing, allowing for an action to be done immediately or deferred. While grammatically acceptable, it is not the most common or precise way to express this idea, as noted by Ludwig. It appears primarily in scientific and news contexts and might benefit from clearer alternatives like "initially or subsequently" for improved clarity and formality. Therefore, while understandable, using more specific language is generally recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially or subsequently

Replaces "first" with "initially" for a slightly more formal tone, and "later" with "subsequently" for a clear sequence of events.

at the beginning or afterward

Breaks down the phrase into more explicit timing markers, suitable for instructional contexts.

sooner or thereafter

Uses "sooner" to imply the initial option and "thereafter" to indicate what follows.

at first or eventually

Highlights the contrast between an initial state and the final outcome.

early on or down the line

Offers a more informal version, suitable for conversational contexts.

in the beginning or in the future

Emphasizes the temporal aspect, contrasting the starting point with a future time.

at the start or sometime after

Provides a general timeframe for actions occurring after the initial point.

to begin with or at a later stage

Focuses on stages in a process, suggesting a deliberate progression.

primarily or in due course

"Primarily" emphasizes the initial action, while "in due course" refers to something happening at the appropriate time.

firstly or in time

Offers a simple, direct alternative, suitable for instructions or explanations.

FAQs

How can I use "first or later" in a sentence?

You can use "first or later" to indicate a choice in timing. For example, "You can address this task "initially or subsequently", depending on your priorities."

What are some alternatives to "first or later"?

Alternatives include "initially or subsequently", "at the beginning or afterward", or "early on or down the line". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is "first or later" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "first or later" is less common and can lack precision. It's generally better to use clearer alternatives to avoid ambiguity.

When should I avoid using "first or later"?

Avoid using "first or later" in formal writing or when specific timing is important. Opt for more precise alternatives such as "initially or subsequently" or "at the start or sometime after".