Afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "afterwards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a point in time that follows an event or situation. Example sentence: We went to the movie and afterwards we went out for dinner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You could imagine the chilly atmosphere at the breakfast table, the prime minister is said to have remarked to friends afterwards.

The Guardian

But soon afterwards he joined the Spanish-based international brand consultancy Saffron, started by a Wolff Olins alumnus, Jacob Benbunan, as a hands-on chairman.

The Guardian

"I am more Italian than those Juventus fans in the stands," was all Balotelli would say on the matter afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

And they want something solid to vote on now, rather than afterwards".

The Guardian

Soon afterwards he decided he would not race on Sunday.

The Guardian - Sport

"We'll try and win every game," Caldwell said afterwards, satisfied with the performance but aware that their chances of staying up are remote.

The Guardian - Sport

Guthrie said afterwards that it "felt a bit over the top".

The Guardian - Sport

New data-handling guidance now under consideration would require reporters to warn public figures at the beginning of an investigation and then destroy their notes and phone numbers afterwards, according to a report in The Times.

The Guardian

"Apart from being a mile high and an hour late I suppose it was a fair tackle", said Alan Hansen afterwards, a comment he later rescinded; Stevens set out to win the ball, not to cause injury, though whether he was reckless in so doing is harder to judge.

The Guardian - Sport

Swift said afterwards "I thought I couldn't love Beyonce more and then tonight happened".

The Guardian - Music

I sat beside the spa pool afterwards, looking up at the multicoloured hanging flowers and thinking that the only thing that could make things any better would be if someone brought me a pot of mint tea… when someone brought me a pot of mint tea.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by substituting "Afterwards" with synonyms like 'subsequently' or 'later' to enhance the flow and readability of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "Afterwards" when you intend to express a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Use causal conjunctions such as 'therefore' or 'consequently' instead.

Linguistic Context

Afterwards primarily functions as an adverb of time. It modifies verbs, clauses, or sentences to indicate that an event occurs at a later time than the one previously mentioned. Ludwig examples confirm its adverbial role, showing how it connects sequential actions or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Afterwards" is a versatile adverb that indicates a temporal sequence, denoting events that occur later in time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. While suitable for various registers, from news reports to casual narratives, it's crucial to distinguish its function from causal conjunctions. Alternatives like "subsequently" or "later" can enhance writing, while avoiding redundancy ensures clarity. By understanding its function and application, writers can effectively employ "Afterwards" to create coherent and well-structured content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Subsequently

Similar to "Afterwards", but might imply a more formal or technical context.

Thereafter

Often used in legal or formal contexts to denote what follows.

Later

A more general term for indicating a point in time following a specific event.

Following that

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the sequential nature of events.

At a later time

A more explicit and slightly more formal alternative.

In the aftermath

Implies a period that directly results from a significant event.

Down the line

Suggests a point further into the future, often with less specificity.

In due course

Indicates that something will happen at an appropriate time in the future.

In the sequel

More suitable to define consequence in movies or series.

Coming up next

Often used in broadcasting to announce what will follow in a program.

FAQs

How can I use "Afterwards" in a sentence?

"Afterwards" is an adverb that indicates something happening at a later time. For example, "We had dinner, and "afterwards" we went to a movie."

What are some alternatives to using "Afterwards"?

You can use alternatives like "later", "subsequently", or "thereafter" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Afterwards, then..."?

While grammatically not incorrect, using "Afterwards" and "then" together can be redundant. It's better to use either "Afterwards" or "then" to avoid unnecessary repetition.

What's the difference between "Afterwards" and "Afterward"?

"Afterwards" and "Afterward" are both adverbs with the same meaning, but "Afterwards" is more commonly used, especially in British English. "Afterward" is slightly less common and more often seen in American English.