later

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "later" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when talking about a future point in time, such as "I will call you later today," or to indicate a continuation at a later point in time, such as "We'll pick up the conversation later." Example sentence: I'll discuss the project details with you later.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Five minutes later, the phone rang again.

The New York Times

He died a few months later.

The Guardian

He later died in hospital.

The Guardian

All candidates will be notified as to the result of their application no later than 10 days post submission.

The Guardian

Later, on Tuesday night, he said it was "categorically false and defamatory".

The Guardian

The peer later denied that he had commercial interests in any domestic energy firms or in the big six energy companies.

The Guardian - Money

The US state department later described a "specific and immediate threat".

The Guardian

Nevertheless, Behind the Candelabra screened as a competition entry at the Cannes film festival in May, and later debuted in UK cinemas.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There was similar scenes moments later in Ballieston, Glasgow East, where Sturgeon cast her vote with her husband and SNP chief executive, Peter Murrell.

The Guardian

A few months later a warrant was issued," he said.

The Guardian

But Smith's failure to make a major impact in Europe - the finest moment probably being the home-and-away defeat of Leeds United in 1992, later missing out on a Champions League final place by one point - led to the clamour for something new.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "later" to clearly indicate a time frame that follows a specific event or point in time. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid confusing "later" with "latter". "Later" refers to time, while "latter" refers to the second of two things mentioned. Using the wrong word can change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "later" primarily functions to indicate a time subsequent to a specified point. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, consistent with its usage in numerous examples. It modifies verbs or clauses, specifying when an action occurs or will occur, as seen in examples like, "He died a few months later."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "later" functions as an adverb indicating a subsequent time. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media contexts. To avoid confusion, remember that "later" refers to time, while "latter" refers to the second of two things. For alternative expressions, consider "afterward", "subsequently", or "at a future time". Its versatility makes it suitable for various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

afterward

Indicates a time following a specific event or point.

subsequently

Emphasizes a sequence where one event follows another.

down the line

Implies a point in the future, often with a sense of progression.

at a future time

Formally specifies an unspecified point in the future.

in due course

Suggests that something will happen when the time is right.

at a later date

Refers to a specific future time that will be determined.

in the fullness of time

Highlights that something will happen when the appropriate conditions are met.

by and by

Suggests that something will happen gradually or eventually.

in the aftermath

Indicates a period following a significant event, often with consequences.

following that

Connects a series of events where one directly succeeds another.

FAQs

How to use "later" in a sentence?

Use "later" to indicate that something will happen at a time after the present or after a specified time. For example, "I will call you later" or "We can discuss this later".

What can I say instead of "later"?

You can use alternatives like "afterward", "subsequently", or "at a future time" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "later" and "latter"?

"Later" refers to a time after the present or a specified time, while "latter" refers to the second of two things mentioned. For example, "I'll do that later," versus, "I prefer the latter option".

Is it correct to say "see you later"?

Yes, "see you later" is a common and informal way to say goodbye, implying that you expect to see the person again at some point.