speak later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speak later" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that you will have a conversation about something at a later time. For example: "We don't have time to go over the details now, so let's speak later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Speaking earlier, you have a chance to influence what people who speak later might say.

The New York Times - Magazine

They agreed to speak later that day.

The New Yorker

He would think first, speak later.

The Guardian - Opinion

She will speak later on this morning.

The Guardian

She is also expected to speak later in the week.

The New York Times

That is the ability to record a message for the character to speak later.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

They spoke later".

The Guardian

Mr. Roth said he spoke later with jurors.

The New York Times

The two finally spoke later on Sunday.

The New York Times

Gen. Mark S. Martins, speaking later, characterized such complaints as "a bit misleading".

The New York Times

He spoke later of how much he was enjoying being a father.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speak later" when you want to postpone a conversation or discussion without specifying a precise time. For example, instead of saying "I will call you at 3 PM", you can say "Let's "speak later" today".

Common error

Avoid using "speak later" excessively without providing any indication of when you might be available. This can leave the other person uncertain and potentially frustrated. Give a general timeframe like "Let's "speak later" this week" to set expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speak later" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a future time for communication. As Ludwig confirms, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for deferring conversation. Examples show its use in various contexts, from casual to professional.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

12%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "speak later" is a versatile and commonly used expression to postpone a conversation to a future time. As Ludwig indicates, it is grammatically correct and adaptable across various contexts, from casual to professional. While it's prevalent in News & Media, its use extends to Wiki and even Academic settings. For more formal environments, consider using alternatives like "discuss this further". Ensure the context aligns with the overall tone of your communication to prevent vagueness or potential frustration. When using it, think first to not make platitudes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discuss this later

Focuses on the act of discussing and defers it to a later point.

talk afterwards

Emphasizes the sequence of events, suggesting the conversation will happen after something else.

chat at a later time

Uses a more informal verb ("chat") and specifies the future time.

catch up later

Implies a brief and casual conversation will happen at a subsequent time.

revisit this topic later

Suggests a more formal and structured discussion will be resumed.

touch base later

Uses business jargon to indicate a future contact and brief discussion.

connect again soon

Focuses on the act of reconnecting for a conversation.

get back in touch later

Emphasizes the need to re-establish contact for a conversation.

we'll be in touch again

A more formal way to state that future communication will occur.

follow up later

Implies a continuation of a previous conversation or action.

FAQs

How can I politely postpone a conversation using "speak later"?

You can use phrases like "I'm a bit busy right now, can we "speak later"?" or "Let's "speak later", I have a meeting to attend".

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

In a formal setting, consider using phrases like "We can "discuss this further" at a more convenient time" or "I will "follow up with you later" regarding this matter".

Is it appropriate to use "speak later" in professional emails?

Yes, it is acceptable, but ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your email. Phrases like "Let's "connect again soon"" or "I'll "get back to you later"" can work well.

What does "speak later" imply about the urgency of the conversation?

"Speak later" suggests that the conversation is not immediately urgent and can be deferred. If the matter is time-sensitive, it's best to specify a timeframe.