is later than

USAGE SUMMARY

"is later than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing one event or time to another event or time. For example: "The meeting tomorrow is later than the meeting today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Apparently, this is later than most people.

The Guardian - Film

"So it is later than 1831," Mr. Hautekeur said.

The New York Times

"It is later than you think, so $5 million would do," she added.

The New York Times

6.15pm GMT 15 min: Villagra's tackle is later than Richard III and Marveaux is in some pain.

The Guardian - Sport

Although it contains some very early works, it as a collection is later than the other four Nikayas and much more varied in form and content.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"What we have from Arafat is later than we would have liked, and not as clean as we would have liked," another official said.

The New York Times

When it was being debated in 1916, The Literary Digest saw it as a trick to make "people get up earlier by telling them it is later than it really is".

The New York Times

That is later than Mr Obama's preferred date (May 2010) and probably earlier than Mr McCain's (unspecified), but the date itself is not as big an issue as it seems.

The Economist

The opening of Hinkley Point C has been delayed twice, from 2017 to 2025, but the operators will now be penalised if it is later than that, and government can cancel the deal if it is not operating by 2033.

The Guardian

The finished time of the Reduce step of j is later than deadline.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Thus we assume that \(A\) causes \(B\) even though \(A\) is later than \(B\).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing dates or times, ensure both are expressed in the same format for clarity (e.g., "2024 is later than 2023", not "2024 is later than last year").

Common error

Avoid using "is later than" to compare non-temporal aspects. Use comparative adjectives (e.g., "better", "larger") instead, because "is later than" implies chronological sequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is later than" serves as a comparative expression indicating that one event or time occurs after another. This is confirmed by Ludwig, highlighting its correctness and usability for temporal comparisons. Examples show its use in various contexts, from news reports to scientific publications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is later than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase for indicating temporal precedence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It is most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts. Remember to use it for comparing times and events, and avoid misusing it in non-temporal comparisons. Consider alternatives like "occurs after" or "subsequent to" for variety or specific formality levels. Understanding these nuances ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurs after

This alternative shifts the focus to the occurrence of an event rather than a direct temporal comparison.

comes after

A simpler and more direct way of saying something occurs in sequence.

subsequent to

This alternative provides a more formal or technical synonym for "after".

follows

This option presents a straightforward and concise way to express temporal sequence.

postdates

This is a more formal verb that indicates something happens after a specific date.

takes place following

Similar to "follows", but slightly more descriptive and formal.

transpires beyond

This offers a more literary and less common phrasing.

happens subsequently

This emphasizes the sequential nature of the events, adding a slight emphasis on causality or consequence.

is of a later date than

More verbose, this alternative emphasizes the dating of events.

succeeds in time

This phrase focuses on the concept of one event directly succeeding another in a chronological sense.

FAQs

How do I use "is later than" in a sentence?

Use "is later than" to indicate that one event or time occurs after another. For example, "The second meeting "is later than" the first meeting".

What is a more formal synonym for "is later than"?

A more formal synonym for "is later than" is "subsequent to". It is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

How does "is later than" compare to "occurs after"?

"Is later than" is a direct comparison of two times or events. "Occurs after" simply states that one event happens following another, without necessarily comparing them directly.

Can "is later than" be used to compare something other than time?

While grammatically correct, using "is later than" to compare non-temporal aspects can be confusing. It's best to use comparative adjectives like "better" or "more significant" in those cases, because non-temporal comparison might bring misunderstanding.