later in the future

USAGE SUMMARY

"later in the future" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time further away than the near future. For example, "We will plan our next vacation later in the future when our schedules are more free."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They have a point - starting young often pays off later in the future.

The Guardian - Money

She plans to send her children to board at their school later in the future.

The New York Times

It's not that something might happen later in the future — you can't out rule that.

The New York Times - Sports

Those discounts will roll out to users in other countries later in the future.

TechCrunch

After that, later, in the future, not for long, those are catch phrases Siddig uses a lot.

Huffington Post

I carry us as we were on a late spring afternoon, filling a few hours with the ineffably beautiful things that transpire between children who are practicing how to be in love -- learning how do it for later, in the future, when evening no longer means that it's time to go home.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

You can agree to begin collecting the insurance at a much later date in the future, like your 85th birthday.

The New York Times

This paper summarizes the spectrum of options that can be employed during the initial design and construction of pulverized coal (PC), and integrated gasification and combined cycle (IGCC) plants to reduce the capital costs and energy losses associated with retrofitting for CO2 capture at some later time in the future.

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control

Discounting reduces future costs and benefits primarily due to time preference, a concept that most people would prefer to have money now versus later on in the future [ 26].

BMC Psychiatry

If you don't open them yes you can open them but tape them back because they can be worth some money later on in the future.

WikiHow

The earliest expression in the head appears much later as two lateral domains in the future brain anlage of the early stage II embryo (Additional file 2: Figure S2).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "later in the future", ensure that the context clearly indicates a point further in time than the immediate or near future.

Common error

Avoid using "later in the future" when "later" or "in the future" suffices. Overusing both can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later in the future" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb to indicate when an action will take place. Ludwig indicates this phrase is acceptable and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "later in the future" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something will happen at a non-immediate time. While deemed acceptable for use, it can be slightly redundant, as reported by Ludwig. Analysis of various sources reveals its common usage in contexts such as news, science and wiki articles. For more concise writing, consider alternatives like "eventually" or "at a future date". Pay attention to context to ensure that the chosen phrase adequately conveys the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at some later point

Simple and emphasizes the postponement of an event.

further down the line

Focuses on progression along a timeline.

at a future date

More formal and emphasizes a specific point in time.

in the years ahead

Emphasizes a longer period in the future.

in due course

Implies something will happen when the time is right.

down the road

Informal and suggests a more distant, less definite time.

in the long run

Highlights the eventual outcome after a period of time.

eventually

Focuses on the certainty of an event happening at some point.

in the fullness of time

Emphasizes that something will happen when the time is right.

in time to come

Suggests a progression into the future.

FAQs

How can I use "later in the future" in a sentence?

You can use "later in the future" to indicate an event or action that will occur at a time further away than the immediate or near future. For example, "We will address this issue "later in the future", once we have more data."

What are some alternatives to "later in the future"?

Consider using alternatives like "eventually", "at a future date", or "down the road" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "later in the future"?

Yes, "later in the future" is grammatically correct, although it can sometimes be considered slightly redundant. It's generally acceptable in written English and can be used to refer to a time further away than the near future.

What's the difference between "later" and "later in the future"?

"Later" refers to a time after the present, but it doesn't necessarily specify how far into the future. "Later in the future" emphasizes a more distant or indefinite point in time beyond the immediate future.