later than that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "later than that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that happened at an earlier time. For example, "I finished the project earlier than I expected, but my colleague finished it even sooner - later than that, in fact!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will come later than that.

The Guardian

Often, if fact, she works much later than that.

Stanford University

Any later than that and it's 0 points.

University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Bannon came on very much later than that.

The New York Times

Buses arriving later than that have to wait.

The New York Times - Tech

Actually, Donovan could return to the States a bit later than that.

The New York Times

Only a few candidates have that ended up doing reasonably well have announced later than that.

The Washington Post

The money owed to the government, however, begins to roll in later than that.

The Guardian - Money

I was getting up at 11 or 12 every day, sometimes later than that.

The New York Times - Magazine

COMIC RELIEF I'm not in bed until midnight or 12 30, and I'll go to sleep later than that.

The New York Times

Wall Street sources, however, indicated that any move might be a day or two later than that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "later than that" to clearly indicate a sequence of events or a comparison in timing. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, ensuring clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "later than that" excessively in very simple chronological sequences where "then" or "afterward" would be more concise and natural. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later than that" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a point in time subsequent to a previously mentioned event. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct to use the phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

27%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "later than that" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote a time subsequent to a previously referenced point. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for diverse contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain settings. Its frequency is very common, appearing predominantly in news, academic and scientific sources. When using "later than that", ensure clarity by explicitly or implicitly referencing the initial point of comparison, and avoid overuse in simple sequences where more concise alternatives would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequent to that

Replaces "later" with a more formal synonym and uses a prepositional phrase structure.

sometime after that

Indicates an unspecified time following "that".

after that point

Specifies a 'point' in time rather than just 'that', offering a slight variation in focus.

following that event

Substitutes 'that' with 'that event' making the connection more explicit.

thereafter

Uses a single adverb to convey the same meaning in a more concise and formal manner.

at a later time

Breaks down the comparison into a more descriptive and less direct phrase.

beyond that

Uses "beyond" to indicate progression in time from a specific point.

on the heels of that

Emphasizes the close temporal proximity to "that" which also makes it less interchangeable in many contexts.

in the aftermath of that

Highlights the consequences or period following "that".

as a consequence of that

Shifts the focus to the result or effect of "that".

FAQs

How can I use "later than that" in a sentence?

Use "later than that" to indicate that something happened at a time subsequent to a previously mentioned time or event. For instance, "The meeting was scheduled for 2 PM, but it started "later than that"".

What are some alternatives to saying "later than that"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "subsequent to that", "thereafter", or "after that point".

Is it always necessary to specify the initial time when using "later than that"?

While not always grammatically required, it's best practice to ensure the initial time or event is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, clarify what "that" refers to for better understanding.

Can "later than that" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "later than that" is acceptable in formal writing, although more sophisticated alternatives like "subsequent to that" or "thereafter" might be preferred for a more polished tone.