later that night

USAGE SUMMARY

"later that night" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to denote that something happened after sunset on the same night. For example, "After the dinner party, they stayed up late talking. Later that night, they all decided to go out for a drink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Mohamed was arrested later that night.

The New York Times

He did so later that night, quietly, in his sleep.

The New York Times - Health

Later that night: Rachelle Garniez and the Fortunate Few.

The New Yorker

The couple broke it off later that night.

Forbes

Later that night?

The New York Times - Books

He was released later that night.

The New York Times

Later that night I called my wife.

The New York Times - Magazine

Later that night, Linda Ciofalo takes over.

The New Yorker

He died later that night.

The Washington Post

Brassner died later that night.

The Washington Post

Later that night, Archie died.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "later that night" to clearly indicate an event occurred on the same day, after a previously mentioned event. This helps maintain chronological clarity in your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "later that night" when referring to a different day or a night other than the one already established in the context. This can cause confusion and disrupt the flow of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later that night" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event occurred in relation to a previously mentioned event within the same day. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples, both exact and similar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "later that night" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that an event occurred after a previously mentioned event on the same day. Ludwig confirms its proper usage, highlighting its prevalence in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, alternative phrases like "subsequently that evening" may be preferred for more formal writing. To maintain clarity, avoid using "later that night" when referring to a different day or a night other than the one already established.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that same night

Replaces "later" with "same" emphasizing it's the very night in question.

that very night

Emphasizes the immediacy of the night in question.

later in the evening

Combines "later" with a more specific time frame.

the night after

Highlights the sequential aspect of the night being discussed.

that evening

Offers a more general term for the time of day, replacing "night".

the following night

Emphasizes a sequence of events happening on consecutive nights.

during the night

Focuses on the activity happening at some point within that night.

subsequently that night

Adds a formal tone, emphasizing that something happened afterward.

that night thereafter

Places emphasis on the events after the night.

in the wee hours

Describes a time very late in the night/early morning.

FAQs

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

You can use "later that night" to indicate something happened after a previous event on the same day. For instance, "We had dinner at a restaurant, and "later that night", we went to a concert."

What's the difference between "later that night" and "the next night"?

"Later that night" refers to something happening on the same day, after something else. "The next night" refers to the night of the following day. For example, "I saw a movie and "later that night" I went to bed. The next night, I went to a party".

Which is correct, "later that night" or "later in the night"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and understandable, but "later that night" is more common and idiomatic. "Later in the night" is less frequently used but still acceptable.

Are there any formal alternatives to "later that night"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "subsequently that evening" or "thereafter that night". These options add a sense of formality and are suitable for professional or academic writing.