later hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'later hour' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time later than the present. For example, "I expect to arrive at your house around the later hour of 8 pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

They're against the later hour".

The New York Times

The later hour wakes up some people, who are abrupt in their dismissal.

The New York Times

The final results of the action I hope to be able to give you at a later hour.

The New York Times

His second theatrical season was packed, and he upgraded himself to a later hour with An Evening with Quentin Crisp.

The Guardian - Books

To encourage participation, morning services were moved to a later hour, a full choir was added, and short sermons were introduced.

Princeton University

He asked me to come at 10 p. m., but I sent word that I could not have the translation ready before the later hour.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

(The Esquilino market has later hours).

The New York Times

SHIPPING lines give the later hours mixed grades.

The New York Times

In the later hours, from 60 h.p.i.

BioMed Research International

Leclaire responded an hour later.

The New Yorker

He replied one hour later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events, specify the "later hour" to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Meet me later", specify "Meet me at the later hour of 9 pm."

Common error

Avoid using "later hour" when a specific time is known and relevant. It is better to say "I'll arrive at 10 pm" rather than "I'll arrive at a "later hour"" if you already know you will arrive at 10 pm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later hour" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically indicating when an action will occur. Ludwig AI demonstrates its use across varied contexts, showing it defines a point in time subsequent to a previous one.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "later hour" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression across varied contexts to refer to a time subsequent to the present or a previously mentioned time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile, appearing frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While generally neutral in register, specifying the “later hour” precisely helps avoid ambiguity, and it is best used when the exact time isn’t known or isn’t immediately relevant. Alternatives like "subsequent time" or "delayed time" can offer similar meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequent time

Replaces "hour" with "time", broadening the reference to any point after the current one.

delayed time

Highlights the aspect of being postponed or not immediate.

later timeframe

Substitutes "hour" with "timeframe", emphasizing a period rather than a specific moment.

later period

Replaces "hour" with "period", suggesting a duration of time after the present.

advanced hour

Uses "advanced" to specify the lateness of the hour.

future time

Simple replacement of "later hour" with a generic phrase for time in the future.

a more advanced time

Adds "more" and modifies "later" to "more advanced", indicating a time further along.

a future point in time

Lengthens the phrase to generally refer to a time yet to come.

at a subsequent moment

Uses "subsequent moment" to describe a point in time that follows another.

in due course

Indicates that something will happen at an appropriate time in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "later hour" in a sentence?

You can use "later hour" to refer to a time that is after the current or previously mentioned time. For example, "The meeting was rescheduled to a "later time", specifically a "later hour" in the afternoon".

What's a good alternative to "later hour"?

Alternatives to "later hour" include "subsequent time", "delayed time", or "later timeframe". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "at a later hour" or "in a later hour"?

The correct phrasing is "at a later hour". The preposition "at" is typically used to specify a point in time, whereas "in" is used for durations or periods.

What does "later hour" imply in scheduling?

"Later hour" in scheduling typically implies that an event or activity has been moved to a time that is after its originally planned time, often to accommodate unforeseen circumstances or preferences.