0
Tenacious Learner Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Later on versus eventually

Hi teachers,
What's the difference between 'eventually' and 'later on'? Do they mean the same? Is 'eventually' more formal that 'later on' or it is what I wrote between parentheses?
Eventually, he switched on the radio. (After some time in the future)
Later on, he switched on the radio. (After a short time in the future)

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

Tenacious Learner What's the difference between 'eventually' and 'later on'? I don't see them as different in terms of formality. Both are used in ordinary conversation, and both can be used in formal writing.

— CalifJim

  • Tenacious Learner What's the difference between 'eventually' and 'later on'?
  • I don't see them as different in terms of formality.
  • Both are used in ordinary conversation, and both can be used in formal writing.
  • 'later' or 'later on' is simply after some amount of time, and we don't know how much time passed.
  • 'eventually' is also after time has passed, but not very soon, and it suggests that we are expecting something to happen, waiting for something to happen, and when it finally does, we feel that our expectations have been fulfilled.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

6 Answers
0
Tenacious LearnerWhat's the difference between 'eventually' and 'later on'?
I don't see them as different in terms of formality. Both are used in ordinary conversation, and both can be used in formal writing.

'later' or 'later on' is simply after some amount of time, and we don't know how much time passed.

'eventually' is also after time has
0
0
Hi Jim,
Thank you for the detailed explanation.
Let's see if I got that right.
Both mean 'at some time in the future', but with eventually we are expecting something to happen, waiting for something to happen, as you have said; something that with 'later on' it doesn't. With 'later on' we are just informing about the sequence of the events. Just describing the facts. First this happene
0
0
It's interesting the use of "eventually" in English, as opposed to Latin languages. It can actually be considered a false friend, so pay attention! A very similar Portuguese word for "eventually" is used for future and uncertain events. I suppose the same happens in Spanish, and probably other Latin languages.

But in English, it's different. It's used for certain events, and often to narr
0
0
MrGuedesIt can actually be considered a false friend, so pay attention! A very similar Portuguese word for "eventually" is used for future and uncertain events. I suppose the same happens in Spanish, and probably other Latin languages.
Hi MrGuedes,
Thanks for your comments too!
Yes; the same thing happens in Spanish.
0
0
Tenacious LearnerEventually, the sky will fall down.
I assume you're referring to the asteroid that will eventually destroy the earth.
0
0
TenaciousLearner: Eventually, the sky will fall down.
CalifJimI assume you're referring to the asteroid that will eventually destroy the earth.
I agree. "Eventually", in English, is used with events that it's certain they will happen (or happened). According to Wiktionary, possible synonyms are "at last", "finally", "yet", "
0

Related Questions