later times

USAGE SUMMARY

"later times" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a period of time that comes after the present or a specific point in time mentioned in the sentence. Example: In later times, technology advanced rapidly, leading to significant changes in people's daily lives. Other examples: - Historians often study the customs and beliefs of people in later times to gain a better understanding of their culture. - Despite the difficulties they faced in earlier times, the city prospered in later times. - The painting was not appreciated during the artist's lifetime but gained recognition in later times. - In later times, people will look back on this moment as a turning point in history.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two decades later, times have changed.

The Guardian

In later times, similar honours were paid to other divinities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The game has been popular at later times among adults.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Each day, they go to work at progressively later times.

The New York Times

Who knows if later times will be more forgiving?

The Guardian

Five venous blood samples (VBS) were drawn at the later times later times each 10min.

EJNMMI Physics

At later times (several hours), fibers grow predominantly through elongation.

Biophysical Journal

Bottom row: same as middle but at later times.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience (JMN)

At later times, hypoxia decreased cellularity but had little effect on matrix synthesis.

Biomaterials

At and below 423 K, the initial decomposition was completely reversed at later times.

Acta Materialia

However, hydrolysis occurred at later times, consuming the acid chloride groups within the film.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "later times", ensure the context clearly establishes the initial point of reference to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "later times in the experiment" or "later times in the 20th century".

Common error

Avoid using "later times" when you mean "latter times". "Later" refers to a time subsequent to another, while "latter" refers to the second of two things mentioned. For example, "Of the two options, I prefer the "latter", especially in "later times"."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later times" functions as a noun phrase indicating a period subsequent to a specific reference point. It is commonly used to denote a time frame following an initial observation or event, as demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "later times" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that indicates a period subsequent to a specific reference point. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears most often in scientific and news-related contexts, serving to establish temporal progression. While versatile, it is important to differentiate "later times" from "latter times" and to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. When choosing an alternative, consider nuances such as the duration and nature of the subsequent period. Ludwig provides numerous examples that show that this phrase can be used across many writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequent periods

Focuses on the order of occurrence, emphasizing that these periods follow a specific event or time.

future epochs

Emphasizes longer durations and significant spans of time in the future.

ensuing years

Highlights the years that immediately follow a particular event or point in time.

following days

Refers to the days that come after a specific day or event.

afterward

A concise adverb indicating a time that comes after something else.

in due course

Suggests that something will happen at the appropriate or expected time in the future.

in the future

A general term referring to any point in time after the present.

down the line

An informal phrase indicating a point in time that is further away from the present.

in coming years

Specifically refers to the years that will occur after the present.

at a later date

Suggests an unspecified point in time in the future.

FAQs

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

Use "later times" to refer to a period that follows a specific event or initial time frame. For example, "At first the reaction was slow, but at "later times", it accelerated."

What is a good alternative to "later times"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "subsequent periods", "future epochs", or "ensuing years". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "later times" and "latter times"?

Yes, "later" indicates a subsequent period, while "latter" refers to the second of two items mentioned. For instance, "Between the options of A and B, the "latter" proves more effective in "later times"."

Can "later times" be used in both formal and informal writing?

"Later times" is versatile and appropriate for both formal and informal writing, although more formal synonyms like "subsequent periods" might be preferred in highly academic or professional contexts.