after then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'after then' is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to indicate that something happened immediately following something else. Example: "After then, the sun began to set over the horizon."

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

What you're after, then, are statistics that reliably reveal cause and effect.

Harvard Business Review

If sensors are what Jawbone is after, then the BodyMedia deal makes perfect sense.

TechCrunch

If it is manager reaction you are after, then stay right here.

BBC

If elegance at all costs is what you are after, then the Crillon is the place.

Forbes

If equality is what we are after, then equality is the word we should use.

Huffington Post

Mentions books passing it after then.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

After then-Gov.

The New York Times

One was a nurse shopping for Brussels sprouts who rushed to do triage after then-Rep.

The Washington Post

But under a state law passed in 2006, a year after then-Del.

The Washington Post

His vote for the Dorgan amendment, named after then-Sen.

Forbes

Soon after, then-U.S. Rep. Michael Huffington (former husband to Arianna) turned the tables.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after then" to clearly indicate the sequence of events, especially when the timing is immediately subsequent. For example: 'The meeting concluded; after then, we went for lunch.'

Common error

Avoid using "after then" interchangeably with "after that" or "subsequently" without considering the specific nuance of immediacy that "after then" implies. Consider: "We finished the project; after that, we celebrated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after then" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, indicating the temporal sequence of events. Ludwig AI's assessment confirms its acceptability for denoting what immediately follows something else.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after then" is an acceptable adverbial phrase used to indicate a sequence of events, highlighting that something occurred directly after a previous action. Although less common than alternatives like ""after that"" or ""subsequently"", it is grammatically correct and useful for clearly establishing chronological order. Ludwig AI highlights its acceptability in general contexts for denoting what immediately follows something else. Due to the absence of examples, it is important to use it with consideration for its specific nuance of immediacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after that

A more common and direct way to indicate sequence.

subsequently

Indicates a later time or event following a previous one.

thereafter

Similar to "after then", denoting a time or event following something else.

afterward

Indicates something happening at a later time.

following that

Formally indicates the next event in a sequence.

later on

Indicates a non-specific time in the future after a certain point.

from that point forward

Emphasizes a change or new beginning following a specific event.

in due course

Implies that something will happen at the appropriate time after something else.

in the aftermath

Focuses on the period directly following an event, often with negative connotations.

consequently

Indicates that something happens as a result of a previous action.

FAQs

How can I use "after then" in a sentence?

Use "after then" to show that something happens right after something else. For example, "The rain stopped; "after that", the sun came out" or "We ate dinner; "subsequently", we watched a movie".

What are some alternatives to "after then"?

You can use alternatives such as ""after that"", ""subsequently"", "thereafter", or "afterward" depending on the context.

Is "after then" grammatically correct?

Yes, "after then" is grammatically acceptable, though less common than alternatives like ""after that"". It is used to indicate a sequence of events.

What's the difference between "after then" and "afterwards"?

"After then" is used to indicate a direct sequence, whereas "afterwards" suggests a more general later time. Example: "We had the meeting; after then, we went to lunch." vs. "We had the meeting; afterwards, we discussed the budget."