Only subsequently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Only subsequently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happened after a particular event or point in time. Example: "The results were inconclusive at first, but only subsequently did we find the evidence we needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Only subsequently did it turn against him.

Independent

Only subsequently did Adams pursue writing as a career, with a determination which belied her ostensible southern reticence: "She was not going to pretend she wasn't a bright woman," said the editor William Abrahams of Adams in the 1950s.

The Guardian

Only subsequently did such academics as I.A. Richards and William Empson in England and John Crowe Ransom and Cleanth Brooks in the United States adapt the New Criticism to reform of the literary curriculum in the 1940s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only subsequently, as a result of protests organized by groups like the Freedom Defense Initiative and Stop Islamization of America, did the project become the subject of passionate debate.

The New York Times - Books

Only subsequently, too, did I read about the Algonquin round table where her gang outdid one another in bitchy repartee: Dottie's pithy and caustic line about the actress who "ran the gamut of emotions from A to B", and her sharp tongue about the society girls at Yale ("If all these sweet young things were laid end to end, I wouldn't be at all surprised").

The Guardian - Opinion

Only subsequently will children turn to more abstract and incongruent ways to represent reality, the condition being that they participate actively in formal settings that will provide them with rich amounts of grammatically metaphorical input.

Functional Linguistics

Only subsequently, when its labour-intensive cultivation became largely centred in Kashmir, did it seem sufficiently exotic to qualify as one of the most precious of spices".

Wikipedia

Only subsequently did some southern regions of Italy implement complex networks of care [ 2].

BMC Psychiatry

It only subsequently morphed into a boutique purveyor of classy, starry stagings.

The Guardian

When that someone yanked him off his bike, he ran – realising only subsequently that his pursuers were uniformed police officers investigating a nearby robbery.

The Guardian

Among the documents seized by the police at the time were bills carrying dates relating to contracts that were signed only subsequently.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Only subsequently", ensure that the initial event or situation is clearly defined to provide a strong contrast and highlight the subsequent development.

Common error

Avoid using "Only subsequently" when the sequence of events is not clearly defined or when the emphasis on the exclusive nature of the second event is not intended. Otherwise, replace with "later on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Only subsequently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action or event occurred in relation to a prior event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it emphasizes a sequence, highlighting that something happened after and potentially because of something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "Only subsequently" serves to highlight temporal sequence with an emphasis on what followed a specific initial event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile across a range of contexts, it is most frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in the sequential relationship between events and be mindful of the desired level of formality. Consider related phrases such as "thereafter" or "later on" to tailor your writing style, but don't over complicate your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Subsequently

This alternative lacks the emphasizing "only" at the start, suggesting it was a later occurrence and not necessarily the exclusive next step.

Thereafter

A more formal synonym, implying a direct sequence but without the initial exclusion.

Following this

Highlights the sequential nature of events in a slightly more formal manner.

Later on

This alternative is less formal and places less emphasis on the specific order of events.

After that

A simpler, more direct way to indicate a sequence of events.

Eventually

Implies a longer duration or a less direct path between events.

In due course

Suggests events will unfold naturally over time.

In the aftermath

Focuses on the period following a significant event, implying a connection between the two.

Down the line

This alternative is more casual and less precise in timing.

In the sequel

A more literary alternative, typically used for artistic works.

FAQs

How can I use "Only subsequently" in a sentence?

Use "Only subsequently" to indicate that an event occurred after a specific initial event or point in time, emphasizing the sequential order. For example, "The experiment yielded no results initially; "only subsequently" did the desired outcome manifest".

What phrases are similar to "Only subsequently"?

Alternatives include "later on", "thereafter", or "following this". Choose the alternative that best fits the formality and emphasis you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to use "Only subsequently" with other time-related adverbs?

While not strictly redundant, using "Only subsequently" with other time adverbs (e.g., "Only subsequently later") can be awkward. Choose the clearest and most concise phrasing.

What's the difference between "Only subsequently" and "Subsequently"?

The addition of "Only" emphasizes that the event occurred specifically after the initial event and potentially because of it. "Subsequently" simply indicates a later occurrence without the same level of emphasis or exclusivity.