Hereafter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'Hereafter' is a correct and usable term in written English.
It can be used as a noun or an adverb, and it refers to the time after the present or after a specified event. Example: In the hereafter, we will be reunited with our loved ones who have passed away. In this example, 'hereafter' is used as a noun to refer to the time after the present moment when we will be reunited with our loved ones who have passed away.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Aside from Jeanne Lapoirie's gorgeous photography, there's a sensational cast of Gallic talent on show: Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Beart, Virginie Ledoyen, Fanny Ardant... Felicia's Journey (Atom Egoyan, 1999) 2.10am, FilmFour Egoyan, director of Exotica and The Sweet Hereafter, brings his exotic imagination to bear on the banality of evil in a thriller.

The Guardian

Yet most bankers seem to dread damnation in the hereafter as little as censure in the here and now.

The Economist

"Happiness in this life, and in the hereafter" is promised to "those who believe and lead a righteous life"—there is no other way.

The Economist

To utilise it, to prevent its wasteful squandering, to enable the poor man to bank it up for use hereafter, this surely is one of the most urgent tasks before civilisation".

The Economist

Not only were the local organisations of both the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats controlled by cliques that handed out offices, but in Cologne such deals were actually put in writing.The way things are done around hereAfter such publicity, you would expect the participants in these power games to be more careful.

The Economist

One temple-like chamber contains the maquette of an enchanted Tibetan city, ringed by miniature mountains that are a conduit to the hereafter.

The Economist

Mr Rodenbeck examines the surges of religiosity that have overtaken Cairo since medieval days, times when "the hereafter came to outweigh the here and now".

The Economist

The objects they created were for the first time symbolic rather than practical.Decorated bones are found in burial sites or in the dark recesses of caves, indicating a preoccupation with the hereafter and the existence of early shamanist rituals.

The Economist

By the time of the 2010 census, the proportion of non-Hispanic whites (for simplicity's sake called whites hereafter) was down to 64%.

The Economist

GOING strong at 80, Clint Eastwood ventures into supernatural territory with his direction of "Hereafter", a gripping rendering of Peter Morgan's screenplay about three disparate people who all live in the shadow of death.

The Economist

Even when people do not much believe in the hereafter, they easily invoke or envisage heavenly beings to ease death and make some sense of life.It may not be surprising, then, that the world's largest angel sculpture is only a decade old and stands, not in some cathedral, but at the head of the Team valley overlooking Gateshead, in the postindustrial north of England.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hereafter" in formal writing, ensure clarity by specifying what point in time or event it references. For instance, "hereafter referred to as 'the committee'" clearly establishes the reference.

Common error

Avoid using "hereafter" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "later" or "in the future" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "hereafter" functions as both an adverb and a noun. As an adverb, it indicates a time following the present. As a noun, it refers to a future existence, often associated with the afterlife, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hereafter" is a versatile term that functions as both an adverb indicating future time and a noun referring to the afterlife. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, "hereafter" is more appropriate for formal and scientific contexts, lending a sense of seriousness or importance to the writing. Its frequency is high thanks to its adoption in academic, news and formal contexts. When writing, ensure that you consider the register to fit your writing better and consult Ludwig's suggestions to help you in your writing task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hereinafter

A formal term used in legal or official documents to refer to something later in the same document, similar to "hereafter" when used adverbially.

In the future

Refers to a time yet to come, similar to "hereafter" but less formal.

Subsequently

Indicates something that follows in time, closely related to the adverbial sense of "hereafter".

In the time to come

A more descriptive way of referring to the future, similar in meaning but less concise than "hereafter".

In the afterlife

Specifically refers to existence after death, a narrower meaning than the general future reference of "hereafter".

From now on

Indicates a change in behavior or state starting immediately, similar to one adverbial usage of "hereafter".

From this point forward

Emphasizes a change in time, indicating something will be true from now on, similar to "hereafter" as an adverb.

In the ensuing time

Refers to the period following a specific event, more specific than general uses of "hereafter".

In due course

Implies something will happen at a suitable time in the future, less direct than "hereafter".

Later on

A simple, less formal way to indicate a subsequent time.

FAQs

How can I use "hereafter" in a sentence?

"Hereafter" can be used as an adverb, meaning from now on or in the future, as in, "The rules will be enforced hereafter." It can also be a noun, referring to life after death, as in, "Belief in the hereafter provides comfort to many."

What's the difference between "hereinafter" and "hereafter"?

"Hereinafter" is typically used in legal or official documents to refer to something mentioned later in the same document. "Hereafter" is broader and can refer to any future time or the afterlife. For example, "The document, hereinafter referred to as Exhibit A, details the agreement," versus, "We hope for peace in the "afterlife"/hereafter."

What are some synonyms for "hereafter" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "subsequently", "hereinafter", "in the future", or "in the afterlife". The best choice depends on whether you're referring to a general future time, a legal context, or the afterlife.

Is it correct to use "hereafter" in both formal and informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "hereafter" is generally more suitable for formal writing due to its somewhat archaic and elevated tone. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "from now on" or "later" are often preferred.