Confusable words

later vs latter: what's the difference?

later
adverb / adjective
vs
latter
adjective / pronoun
? ?

Later and latter are one letter apart and easy to mistype, but they answer completely different questions: when, versus which one.

Later

adverb / adjective

Later refers to a point in time after now, or after another event.

  • I'll call you later this afternoon.
  • We can discuss this later, after the meeting.

later full definition →

Latter

adjective / pronoun

Latter refers to the second of two things already mentioned.

  • We could go to the park or the museum, and I prefer the latter.
  • Of the two job offers, she chose the latter.

latter full definition →

Side by side

later latter
Answers "When?" "Which one, of two?"
Part of speech Adverb or adjective of time Adjective or pronoun referring back
Simple test "see you later" refers to time "the latter option" refers to the second item named

Quick rule

Later is about time, when something happens. Latter points back to the second of two things you already named.

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