later afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "later afterwards" is not correct and is redundant in written English.
You can use it when trying to indicate a time that follows an event, but it is better to choose one term. Example: "We will discuss the project details later afterwards, during our next meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

b. postĕrĭōra, um, n., the posteriors (post-class)., Lampr Elag. 5. —Adv.: postĕrĭus, later, afterwards (class).: posterius dicere, Plaut.

Harvard University

But he actually had a separate business before that and then again later, afterwards, but we ended up being a much larger concern.

Huffington Post

Y-BOCS and HAMD assessments were performed at weeks zero, two, four, and afterwards, later follow-up assessments were performed.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Afterwards, during the later steps of autophagy, two ubiquitin-like protein conjugation systems participate in the elongation and maturation of autophagosome: the Atg12-Atg5-Atg16L complex and the microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3 -phophatidylethanolamine (PE) complex.

BioMed Research International

Henry regained control after De Montfort's death at the Battle of Evesham later that same year, but afterwards knights and burgesses were called to Parliament more regularly.

BBC

The department later said it had afterwards tracked 1,000 young people in the target audience.

The Guardian

"Sam didn't talk to me for years afterwards," Butterworth later said.

The Guardian

"It was because of [the Fonteyn affair]," recalled Jeanmaire later, "that afterwards I told him: 'We go to London, and I want a big creation for me.

The Guardian

"We have not performed as well as we can do but it will come later," he said afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

The knives arrived fifteen minutes later, and soon afterwards, with no ado, Knowles and several helpers suited up in black aprons and began to chop.

The New Yorker

Sir Alan mislaid his own copy soon afterwards, and later attempts to track down others, as his fame - and output - increased, came to nothing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts where precision is needed, specify the time frame. For example, use "later that day" or "afterwards, in the following week" for clarity.

Common error

Using "later afterwards" creates unnecessary repetition. Opting for just one word, such as "later" or "afterwards", makes your writing more concise and professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later afterwards" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to specify when something occurs in relation to a previous event. However, it is redundant, as both words convey a similar meaning. As Ludwig AI points out, it's best to use either "later" or "afterwards" individually.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "later afterwards" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundancy. As Ludwig AI points out, both "later" and "afterwards" serve the same purpose of indicating a subsequent time, making their combination unnecessary. While the phrase may occasionally appear in various sources, including news and academic texts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more concise alternatives like "later", "afterwards", "subsequently", or "thereafter" to effectively convey the intended meaning. Using a single word improves clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequently

Emphasizes the sequence of events, focusing on what happens following the initial action.

thereafter

Indicates a time period that comes after a specific event or point in time.

at a later time

More formal and explicitly refers to a point in time that is not immediate.

down the line

Informal way of saying at some unspecified time in the future.

in due course

Suggests something will happen when the time is right or appropriate.

in the fullness of time

More emphatic and often used to suggest a longer period before the event.

in the sequel

Implies the event is part of a continuing series or narrative.

in the aftermath

Focuses on the period that immediately follows a significant or disruptive event.

with the passage of time

Emphasizes the duration and the gradual nature of events unfolding.

as time goes on

Simple and direct way of indicating a future progression of events.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "later afterwards"?

No, the phrase "later afterwards" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and redundant. It's better to use either "later" or "afterwards" individually to indicate a subsequent time.

What does "later afterwards" mean?

The phrase "later afterwards", though grammatically awkward, attempts to convey that something happened at a time following an initial event. However, each word already carries this meaning, making the combination unnecessary. Use "subsequently" or "thereafter" instead.

When should I use "later" instead of "afterwards"?

"Later" is generally used to indicate a time in the future relative to the present moment or a previously mentioned time. "Afterwards" indicates a time following a specific event. Although the two terms are quite similar, in general usage, "afterwards" has a stronger relationship with the reference to a specific event.

What are some alternatives to using "later afterwards" in a sentence?

Instead of "later afterwards", try using "subsequently", "thereafter", or "at a later time" for a more grammatically sound and clear expression. Depending on the specific context, other alternatives such as "down the line" may also be appropriate.