later on

USAGE SUMMARY

"later on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a point of time in the near future or after a certain time has elapsed. For example, you could say, "We'll take a break now and come back to the project later on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It stumbles later on, though.

Independent

Later on Friday, another blow.

The New York Times

But later on, doubt creeps in.

The Guardian

Later on, I was reading Machiavelli.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We'd look for money later on".

Independent

Later on, though, immodesty shades into theology.

The New Yorker

"Later on, we came to geometry.

The New Yorker

Later on Monday night, Jim Campilongo performs.

The New Yorker

Later on, he wrote, "Have some fun".

The New York Times

Later on during training and later on during professional life the person is observed.

Independent

Later on, Bruce Chatwin's In Patagonia helped me to make sense of all this.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "later on" to indicate a sequence of events, especially when emphasizing that something will happen after a certain period or event has passed. This helps create a clear timeline for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "later on" excessively in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "subsequently" or "at a later time" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later on" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something happens in relation to another event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. For example, "It stumbles later on, though."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "later on" is a common adverbial phrase used to indicate a future point in time or a subsequent event. Ludwig AI confirms that is a correct and usable phrase. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "subsequently" in professional or academic writing. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, demonstrating its broad applicability in conveying temporal relationships. Remember to use "later on" when you want to emphasize that something will happen after a specific duration or event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

afterward

More concise and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. Replaces the two-word phrase with one word.

subsequently

Implies a sequence of events, often in a formal context. Replaces the two-word phrase with a single adverb.

at a later time

More formal and explicit about the delay. Adds the article and changes the structure slightly.

down the line

More idiomatic, suggesting a point further in the future with potential implications.

further down the road

Idiomatic, suggesting a point further in the future with potential implications or developments.

in due course

Implies that something will happen when the time is right, more patient and formal.

eventually

Suggests that something will happen after some delay or difficulty.

in the future

A broader term that simply indicates some point yet to come. Less specific.

at some point

More vague, indicating an unspecified time in the future. Lacks precision.

in time

Suggests that something will happen eventually and implies a sense of hope or expectation.

FAQs

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

Use "later on" to indicate that something will happen at a future time, such as, "We can discuss this "later on", after the meeting".

What's a more formal alternative to "later on"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "subsequently" or "at a later time".

Is it correct to use "later on" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "later on" can sometimes sound informal. Consider rephrasing for a smoother flow. For example, instead of "Later on, we will review the results", try "We will review the results "later on"".

What is the difference between "later" and "later on"?

"Later" and ""later on"" are often interchangeable, but ""later on"" can add a slight emphasis on the passage of time or a future point that's more distant than just "later".