"I ate later" vs "I ate late"

Question

"I ate later" vs "I ate late"

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and usage. 'I ate late' means that you ate at a late time, while 'I ate later' means that you ate at a later time than expected or previously mentioned.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

'I ate later' is used to convey that the eating occurred at a time that was later than some reference point.

Examples:

I thought I would eat now, but I ended up eating later.
She said she would eat at 6, but she actually ate later.
He usually eats breakfast early, but today he ate later.

Alternatives:

I ate at a later time.
I ended up eating later than planned.
I ate after the meeting.

'I ate late' is used to convey that the eating occurred at a late hour.

Examples:

I ate late last night.
She always eats late when she works late shifts.
He ate late because he was busy with work.

Alternatives:

I ate at a late hour.
I had dinner late.
I ate after midnight.

Answer 1

I ate later

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate that you ate at a time that was later than expected or previously mentioned.

Answer 2

I ate late

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate that you ate at a late time.

"I ate later" vs "I ate late"

I ate later

I ate late

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