Later vs After: What’s the Differences Between these Two Words?

If you’re a little shaky on when to use later and when to use after, not to worry! We’ll give you the rundown on these two words, with all of their meanings and when to use each one. Then, you can put into practice what you’ve learned.

Later or After: What Makes Them so Difficult?

Both of these words have a few different forms and meanings and are used in different situations. However, in some cases, both are possible in a sentence! That’s what makes them a bit tricky. Check the meaning of later and after.

Later Meaning & Definition (adjective or adverb)

An adjective that is used to talk about something happening after a time you have mentioned. Later is also an adverb that means at a time in the future.

Examples: 

• I’m going to catch my flight later.
• Your dad will be back later. We can hang out in the meantime.
• I’ll do my homework later!
• Later tonight, I’ll call you back.

Superlative and Comparative Form of Late

The comparative form of late is later. And the superlative form of late is the latest.

Later On Meaning

Later on means in the future or after a time that you’ve been talking about.

Later on in a sentence:

• Let’s talk discuss this topic later on.
• Later on in the meeting, our manager got angry because of Tim’s poor presentation.

Later vs Latter

Because of the similar spelling, people often confuse alter and latter. What is the difference between later and latter? Later refers to time; Latter refers to the second of two people or things previously mentioned.

How to use latter in a sentence: Between vanilla ice cream and chocolate ice cream, I prefer the latter.

The example sentence means that the person prefers chocolate ice cream because that is the second of the list of two ice cream flavors.

After Meaning & Definition (adverb)

An adverb that means later than someone or something else.

Example: 

I arrived at 7:00, and most of the other guests arrived soon after.

After (preposition)

Most often used as a preposition to mean something that will follow.

Example: 

Let’s go swimming after lunch.

After (conjunction)

Can also be used as a conjunction to indicate something that occurred later than another event.

Example:

Two months after I arrived in Canada, I found a job.

After a while Meaning

The meaning of ‘after a while’ is after some time has passed.

After a while in a sentence: My daughter started to like school after a while.

Later vs After: Practice

1. _____ I finish grocery shopping, I’m going to come home and cook dinner.
2. What do you usually do _____ school?
3. I’ll go for a swim _____. I need to eat first.
4. I’ll go and see grandma _____.
5. You can finish your homework _____ dinner. The pizza is hot right now.
6. There’s no time to do it _____. You have to go to bed soon.

Answers: Later or After?

1. after
2. after
3. later. Can also say, “After I eat, I’ll go for a swim.”
4. later. Can also say, “I’ll see grandma after (some other activity).
5. after
6. later

Want to Find Out More?

You can find hundreds of confusing English words and word pairs in this book: Most Confusing Words in English Explained. Pick up a copy and ace your next TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam! Find out everything you need to know about it right here:

More Confusing English Words Like Later and After

There are lots of other confusing English words to be aware of. Here are some other articles to check out:

they’re, their, there

little, a little, small 

irregardless, regardless

affect, effect

FAQs About Later and After

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the difference and meaning of later and after.

Is After an adverb?

After can be used as an adverb. After, as an adverb, means later than someone or something else.

Is Later a preposition?

Later is not a preposition. However, after can be used as a preposition.

Is Later an adverb?

Later can be an adverb or an adjective.

Is later and afterward the same?

Later and afterward are synonyms. However, afterward can only be used as an adverb, and it refers to a more definite time than later.

Later vs After: Join the Conversation

Do you have any tips or tricks for knowing when to use later or after? Leave a comment below and let us know. How well do you know English grammar and its rules? We’d love to hear from you.

Last update on 2025-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API