Later or latter: time and order

The idea

Later refers to a subsequent time or a later point; latter refers to the second of two things just mentioned, often as the latter.

Examples

• Maya will call later, after her meeting.
• We took a later train because the first one was full.
• Later that evening, the rain finally stopped.
• The café offers tea and coffee; the latter is grown locally.
• Nina considered cycling or walking; she chose the latter.
• Of the two proposals, the latter requires less space.

Watch out

Do not write latter when you mean after the present time; its double t points to the second of two mentioned things.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct word. I can send the file ___ this afternoon. (later / latter)

   Show answer or example answer

   later

   later: The file will arrive at a subsequent time this afternoon.

2. Choose the correct word. The guide mentioned a museum and a garden; we visited the ___. (later / latter)

   Show answer or example answer

   latter

   latter: The garden was mentioned second.

3. Choose the correct word. They booked an earlier flight, but changed to a ___ one. (later / latter)

   Show answer or example answer

   later

   later: The replacement flight departs after the original one.

Use it today

Describe a later plan and choose the latter of two options.