aftermath

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "aftermath" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe the period of time immediately following a significant event, usually a negative one, when its effects are still being felt and dealt with. For example, "The company is still struggling to recover from the aftermath of the financial crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We closed the park immediately whilst preliminary investigations took place and to give our staff time to come to terms with the accident and its aftermath.

The Guardian

Everyone," muses Mrs Fantlova, "has different reactions to the aftermath of that experience.

The Guardian - Music

He won first prize in 2010 in the live news photograph of the year category for his work documenting the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

The Guardian

The home secretary last hinted at her wish to see the introduction of pre-broadcast banning powers in the immediate aftermath of the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich two years ago, when Conservative MPs expressed strong criticism of a BBC Newsnight interview with the radical Islamist activist Anjem Choudary.

The Guardian

Related: Labour manifesto pledges to boost minimum wage and cut deficit Miliband is determined to junk the post-Thatcher consensus that promoting economic growth meant protecting "wealth-creators" at the top of society – a view he and his supporters believe was comprehensively disproved by the great recession and its aftermath.

The Guardian

Most worrying is the referee's refusal in the aftermath to accept Oxlade‑Chamberlain's word as he calmly pointed out the mistake.

The Guardian - Sport

If loyalty to his line managers counts for anything then Cook remains an entirely steadfast lieutenant, defending, even in the aftermath of the whitewash, what has looked with every defeat an increasingly lopsided Ashes tour party.

The Guardian - Sport

(Just think of how it bungled the aftermath of the Maps fiasco).

The Guardian - Tech

Extremists do, as Cameron said, "thrive when they have ungoverned spaces in which they can exist, build and plan" and the aftermath of the Arab spring has not just opened up new terrain but also exacerbated existing problems of lawlessness and criminality.

The Guardian

The president was also criticised for celebrating his niece Ine's wedding over weekend, in the aftermath of the killings.

The Guardian

In Egypt, the government showed its gratitude for Abdullah's staunch support for the current Egyptian regime by declaring seven days of mourning – four days longer than the mourning periods in the aftermath of other recent deaths.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the "aftermath", be specific about the types of consequences being discussed, such as economic, social, or environmental effects.

Common error

Avoid using "aftermath" in contexts that are not inherently negative or disruptive. Opt for more neutral terms like "outcome" or "result" if the situation doesn't involve significant hardship or destruction.

Linguistic Context

Aftermath functions primarily as a noun, referring to the period following a significant, often catastrophic, event and its immediate consequences. Ludwig shows numerous examples in news contexts, where it describes the resulting conditions of disasters or conflicts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aftermath" is a noun frequently employed to describe the period and consequences following a significant, often negative, event. As evidenced by Ludwig, its usage is prevalent in news and media to objectively report on the conditions resulting from disasters or conflicts. While grammatically correct and very common, it is important to reserve "aftermath" for contexts where a negative or disruptive event has occurred, avoiding its use in more neutral situations where terms like "outcome" or "result" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consequences

This term is a more general synonym, lacking the specific connotation of a catastrophic preceding event implied by "aftermath".

wake

This term often refers to the immediate consequences or trail left behind by an event, similar to "aftermath" but can also be used in a less negative sense.

backwash

This term suggests an unexpected or indirect consequence resulting from an event, differing slightly from the direct sequential implication of "aftermath".

repercussions

This term emphasizes the wider and often indirect effects of an action or event, focusing on long-term impact more than the immediate period like "aftermath".

result

This term is a neutral and direct consequence, without the negative implications often associated with "aftermath".

outcome

This term refers to the end result of a process or event, lacking the specific connotation of a negative or catastrophic prior event that "aftermath" carries.

ramifications

This term is similar to repercussions but emphasizes the branching and complex consequences that spread out from an event, differing from the immediate focus of "aftermath".

ensuing period

This term focuses on the time following an event, but does not necessarily imply negative consequences, unlike "aftermath".

following period

Similar to 'ensuing period', this term is more neutral and simply denotes the time that comes after an event without any inherent negative implications.

consequent events

This phrase focuses on the events that follow something, but it lacks the implication of chaos or devastation that is present in the "aftermath".

FAQs

How can I use "aftermath" in a sentence?

You can use "aftermath" to describe the period following a significant event, especially one with negative consequences. For example, "The city struggled to rebuild in the "wake" of the earthquake".

What can I say instead of "aftermath"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "consequences", ""wake"", or "repercussions". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the negative implications or simply the resulting state.

Is "aftermath" only used for negative events?

While "aftermath" typically implies negative consequences, it can sometimes be used in more neutral contexts to simply refer to the period following an event. However, be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation due to its common association with disaster or hardship.

What's the difference between "aftermath" and "result"?

"Aftermath" typically refers to the period immediately following a disruptive or negative event and its associated consequences. "Result", on the other hand, is a more general term for the outcome of any event, without necessarily implying negativity.