later hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"later hand" is not a correct phrase in English.
You might hear this phrase in spoken English as a colloquial expression, but it is not something you would typically use in written English.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Corrections by a later hand (15th century) in brown ink.

Yale University

He returned seconds later, hand behind his back.

The New York Times

The date was changed by a later hand from 1824 to 1829.

Yale University

The journal is annotated in pencil in what seems to be a much later hand.

Yale University

He wore the same yellow shirt that Sophie would later hand to Francis.

The Guardian

Script: Text written by one person in humanistic script; numerous marginal and interlinear notes in a slightly later hand.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

She later hand-painted the pots and added strings of lights and a wind chime.

Columbia University

The ballots are then sealed and later hand-counted along with absentee ballots.

The New York Times

Mr Putin became a city bureaucrat who was later hand-picked as Russia's second non-communist president.

The Economist

It was through the Cummington School of the Arts that Mr. Duncan met numerous other poets whose books he later hand-printed, Mrs. Duncan said.

The New York Times - Arts

Klebnikov was later hand-picked to launch the first edition of Forbes Russia in April this year, and a month later the magazine published a list of Russia's 100 richest people, which angered the individuals concerned.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to modifications made to a document or artifact by someone other than the original author, consider using clearer phrases like "a later editor" or "a subsequent annotator" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "later hand" in formal academic or professional writing. While it might be understood, it lacks the precision and grammatical correctness expected in such contexts. Opt for more explicit phrasing such as "a subsequent author" or "a later editor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later hand" functions as a descriptor, often modifying nouns like "annotation", "scribe", or "editor". Although Ludwig AI points out its grammatical dubiousness, it identifies the agent responsible for alterations, as seen in Ludwig's examples concerning manuscripts and documents.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "later hand" is used, Ludwig AI considers it grammatically questionable. It frequently appears across academic, news, and scientific contexts to denote modifications or additions made by someone other than the original author, particularly in historical documents. For formal writing, it's best to opt for clearer and more precise alternatives like "subsequent editor" or "later annotator" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. Therefore, its use is acceptable in informal settings but discouraged in formal academic or professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

later addition

A more concise way to say something was added later.

edited later

Specifies the type of change made at a later time.

corrected afterward

Specifies that errors were fixed at a later time.

annotated later

Focuses on the act of adding notes or comments at a later time.

subsequent addition

Emphasizes that something was added at a later time.

revised at a later date

Implies a more formal or thorough change occurred subsequently.

amended subsequently

Indicates a formal change or addition was made at a later stage.

modified subsequently

Highlights that a modification occurred at a later point.

added afterward

Focuses on the action of adding something after an initial action.

touched up later

Suggests minor improvements or refinements were made subsequently.

FAQs

What does "later hand" mean in the context of old manuscripts?

In the context of old manuscripts, "later hand" refers to annotations, corrections, or additions made by someone other than the original scribe, often at a later period. These additions can provide valuable insights into the manuscript's history and reception. Consider using phrases like "subsequent addition" or "later addition".

Is "later hand" grammatically correct in English?

While the phrase "later hand" is used, Ludwig AI suggests it's not considered grammatically correct in formal English. It's better to use phrases like "subsequent modification" or "a later editor" for clarity and correctness.

What are some alternatives to "later hand" for academic writing?

In academic writing, avoid using "later hand". Instead, opt for more precise and formal alternatives such as "a subsequent annotator", "a later scribe", or "corrections by a later editor". These phrases clearly indicate who made the changes and when.

How can I use "later hand" correctly in a sentence?

Although not grammatically perfect, if you choose to use "later hand", ensure the context is informal and that the meaning is clear. For example: "The notes in the margin are in a "subsequent addition"." However, more formal alternatives are generally preferred.