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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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later thing

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "later thing" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to refer to something that will happen or be discussed at a later time, but it lacks clarity. Example: "We can discuss that later thing during our next meeting."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Maybe man win other, later thing?

News & Media

Huffington Post

It's kind of nice to see the whole 19-years later thing.

News & Media

Huffington Post

What's for now and what's for later is kind of the thinking and always trying to figure out, what's that later thing that's going to be our deeper take on it.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Later, things get worse.

Later, things got murkier.

News & Media

The New York Times

Later, things began to change.

Twelve months later, things have changed.

News & Media

The Guardian

Four years later things are no better.

More than 45 years later, things had not measurably improved.

News & Media

The New York Times

Sooner or later, things were bound to go wrong.

News & Media

The New York Times

Only a decade later, things were very different.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you want your writing to sound more natural, but still clear, use the phrase 'later thing' only in informal conversations.

Common error

Avoid relying on "later thing" in professional or academic writing. Instead, replace it with precise terms that clarify the subject and timing, such as "subsequent analysis" or "future research".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a placeholder for a topic or issue to be addressed in the future. Ludwig examples show it used to defer discussion or indicate a planned action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "later thing" is an informal phrase used to refer to something that will be addressed at a subsequent time. While understandable in casual contexts, it is considered somewhat vague and lacks the precision needed for formal or academic writing. Ludwig AI suggests alternatives like "subsequent matter" or "future topic" for enhanced clarity. The phrase appears primarily in News & Media sources and carries a casual register. Therefore, while not grammatically incorrect, it's advisable to use more specific language in professional settings.

FAQs

What does "later thing" mean?

"Later thing" is an informal way of referring to something that will be addressed or discussed at a subsequent time. While understandable in casual contexts, it lacks the precision of alternatives like "subsequent matter" or "future topic".

When is it appropriate to use "later thing"?

The phrase "later thing" is generally suitable for informal conversations or casual writing. In professional or academic settings, it's better to opt for more precise and formal alternatives.

What can I say instead of "later thing"?

You can use alternatives like "a point for later discussion", "something to address later", or "future topic" depending on the context.

Is "later thing" grammatically correct?

While not grammatically incorrect, "later thing" is somewhat vague and informal. It's generally understandable, but may lack the clarity needed in more formal contexts. Consider using more descriptive alternatives for better precision.

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Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: