Later vs latter
Later is about time and means after now or after another time. Latter means the second of two people or things you just named.
Latter has two t's. It points to the second of two things.
later adverb
At a time after now, or after another time. Before a noun, it means coming after, as in a later date.
- Let's discuss the budget later, once everyone has had lunch.
- The package arrived a week later than the seller promised.
latter adjective
Being the second of two people or things that were just named.
- We considered both Madrid and Lisbon, and finally settled on the latter.
- Between the bus and the train, the latter is faster.
Watch out
- Latter can also mean near the end of a period of time. Here it is not about two things.The latter stages of the marathon tested every runner's endurance.
- To compare times with than, use later, never latter.The new start time is an hour later than the original one.
Test yourself
I'm busy now, but I can call you blank.
Show answer
later. This means at a time after now.
Anna and Ben both applied, but only the blank got the job.
Show answer
latter. It means Ben, the second of the two people named.
The meeting has been moved to a blank date.
Show answer
later. The new date comes after the old one in time.
We looked at a red car and a blue one, and the blank costs less.
Show answer
latter. It points to the second car named, the blue one.