Grammar - The Difference Between "Later" and "After"

 "Later" and "After" both relate to time, but they are used differently.

• Later = refers to a point in the future, without mentioning a specific event. It is often used at the end of a sentence or before a time expression.
• After = shows that one event happens following another event. It connects two actions.

Examples

Later:

• I'll call you later. (= at some point in the future)
• She’ll arrive later in the evening. (= at a later time)

🚫 Wrong: I'll call you after. (Incorrect because "after" needs another event.)

After:

• I’ll call you after the meeting. (= first the meeting, then I’ll call you)
• He went to bed after watching TV.

🚫 Wrong: He went to bed later watching TV. (Incorrect because "later" does not connect two actions.)

Other Similar Words

• Then = Used to show what happens next.
• We ate dinner, then we watched a movie.
• Following = More formal than "after".
• Following the concert, we went for coffee.
• Subsequently = Formal, used in writing.
• He studied law and subsequently became a lawyer.
• In the future = A long time ahead.
• I want to travel in the future.

ACTIVITIES

1 - Choose between later or after.

2 - Imagine you are commenting on a travel blog. Write a short paragraph about your last trip or a trip you want to take in the future. Use at least two of these words: later, after, then, in the future.

Example: "Last summer, I traveled to Italy. After visiting Rome, I went to Florence. Then, I explored Venice. I want to visit Spain in the future!"