But afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "But afterwards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a sequence of events, typically to show that something happens following a previous action or situation. Example: "We had a great time at the party, but afterwards, we decided to go for a late-night walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But afterwards?

The Guardian

But afterwards, nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

But afterwards he was a little sheepish.

Independent

But afterwards they're glad they had".

Independent

But afterwards, two young people came up.

Independent

But afterwards the government still did nothing.

The Guardian

But afterwards, she's alone once more.

The Guardian - Film

But afterwards maybe people forgot a little.

The Guardian

But afterwards all prisoners were given one.

The Guardian

But afterwards you went back to the south.

The Guardian - Books

But afterwards, in the Portakabin, a thought occurred.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "But afterwards" to clearly indicate a chronological sequence, especially when contrasting the initial situation with a subsequent outcome. This ensures clarity and helps readers follow the flow of events.

Common error

Avoid using "But afterwards" merely as a substitute for "but". Ensure that the context involves a clear sequence of events, where the 'afterwards' part is crucial to understanding the narrative. Otherwise, stick to a simple "but" for contrasting ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "But afterwards" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a temporal sequence and often introducing a contrast or unexpected outcome. Ludwig AI shows it in both formal and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "But afterwards" is a versatile conjunctive phrase used to connect events in chronological order, often highlighting a contrast. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, from News & Media to Science. For clarity, use it when you want to clearly signal a sequence and a shift from a previous state. Avoid using it as a mere substitute for "but", and be mindful of the temporal relationship between the clauses. The related phrases, such as "however subsequently" and "yet thereafter", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with varying degrees of formality. This guide provides a detailed analysis of "But afterwards", ensuring its correct and effective use in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

However, subsequently

Replaces "but" with "however" for a more formal tone and uses "subsequently" to clearly indicate the following event.

Yet, thereafter

Uses "yet" for contrast and "thereafter" to denote a point in time following the initial event.

Following that, though

Reorders the sentence to emphasize the sequence using "following that" and adds "though" for a contrasting element.

Nevertheless, later on

Replaces "but" with "nevertheless" to highlight a contrast and uses "later on" for a less formal temporal reference.

Nonetheless, after that

Similar to 'nevertheless, later on', provides contrast and simple time reference

Still, in the aftermath

Emphasizes the continuing state despite the previous event, focusing on the period immediately following.

Even so, down the line

Expresses a degree of unexpectedness or concession regarding the initial event, but emphasizes that something happened in the future (down the line).

That said, come what may

Shifts emphasis from sequential occurrence to what might be a consequence of the initial event; "come what may" means "whatever happens"

On the other hand, in due course

More philosophical or retrospective tone to emphasize that something happened at the right time

After this

The alternative only focus on sequencing, without introducing any contrasting idea like the original phrase does.

FAQs

How can I use "But afterwards" in a sentence?

Use "But afterwards" to connect two clauses when the second clause describes an event that happened after the first, often with a contrasting element. For example, "The team played poorly in the first half, but afterwards, they made a comeback."

What phrases are similar to "But afterwards"?

Alternatives include "however subsequently", "yet thereafter", or "following that, though", which provide similar sequential and contrasting meanings.

Is there a difference between "But afterwards" and "But later"?

"But afterwards" implies a more direct and immediate sequence following an event, while "But later" suggests a less immediate or defined timeframe. "But afterwards" emphasizes the connection between the initial event and its direct consequences.

When should I use "But afterwards" versus "But then"?

"But afterwards" is used when a specific sequence of events is important, highlighting what happened directly following something else. "But then" is more general and can introduce a contrasting idea without necessarily implying a direct chronological sequence.