afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

'afterwards' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'afterwards' to indicate something that happened after a certain event in the past. For example: After the meeting, we all went out for dinner afterwards.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You could imagine the chilly atmosphere at the breakfast table, the prime minister is said to have remarked to friends afterwards.

The Guardian

But soon afterwards he joined the Spanish-based international brand consultancy Saffron, started by a Wolff Olins alumnus, Jacob Benbunan, as a hands-on chairman.

The Guardian

"I am more Italian than those Juventus fans in the stands," was all Balotelli would say on the matter afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

And they want something solid to vote on now, rather than afterwards".

The Guardian

Soon afterwards he decided he would not race on Sunday.

The Guardian - Sport

"We'll try and win every game," Caldwell said afterwards, satisfied with the performance but aware that their chances of staying up are remote.

The Guardian - Sport

Guthrie said afterwards that it "felt a bit over the top".

The Guardian - Sport

New data-handling guidance now under consideration would require reporters to warn public figures at the beginning of an investigation and then destroy their notes and phone numbers afterwards, according to a report in The Times.

The Guardian

"Apart from being a mile high and an hour late I suppose it was a fair tackle", said Alan Hansen afterwards, a comment he later rescinded; Stevens set out to win the ball, not to cause injury, though whether he was reckless in so doing is harder to judge.

The Guardian - Sport

Swift said afterwards "I thought I couldn't love Beyonce more and then tonight happened".

The Guardian - Music

I sat beside the spa pool afterwards, looking up at the multicoloured hanging flowers and thinking that the only thing that could make things any better would be if someone brought me a pot of mint tea… when someone brought me a pot of mint tea.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "afterwards" to clearly indicate an event happening in direct sequence to a previous one. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity regarding the timing of events.

Common error

Avoid using "afterwards" interchangeably with "after" as they have distinct functions. "After" is often used as a preposition or conjunction, while "afterwards" functions solely as an adverb, modifying a verb to indicate when something occurred.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "afterwards" is that of an adverb of time. It modifies verbs, clauses, or sentences to specify that an action or event occurred at a later or subsequent time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Travel

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "afterwards" is a versatile adverb of time used to indicate that something occurs at a later or subsequent time. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is correct and usable in written English. It is grammatically sound, commonly used, and carries a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, including news, sports, and lifestyle writing. Remember to use "afterwards" as an adverb, clarifying the sequence of events and avoiding confusion with other similar words. By using this guide, you should be able to use "afterwards" confidently and correctly in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequently

A more formal synonym implying a direct sequence following an event.

after that

A simple phrase denoting temporal succession, slightly less formal than "afterwards".

following that

A more descriptive phrase highlighting the sequential nature of events.

later

A more general term indicating a point in time following the initial event, lacking the direct connection implied by "afterwards".

thereafter

A formal term indicating a time period following a specific event, often used in legal or official contexts.

at a later time

More verbose but maintains the core meaning of indicating a future point relative to a past event.

in the aftermath

Suggests a period of time directly following a significant or impactful event, often implying consequences or changes.

in due course

Implies that something will happen at the appropriate time or when conditions are right.

down the line

An informal way of saying that something will happen at some undefined time in the future

in the sequel

A less common formulation but describes a temporal succession

FAQs

How do I use "afterwards" in a sentence?

"Afterwards" is typically used to indicate that something happened at a later time than a previous action. For example: "We had dinner, and "afterwards" we went to the movies."

What words can I use instead of "afterwards"?

Alternatives include "subsequently", "later", "thereafter", or "following that" depending on the context.

Is "afterwards" formal or informal?

"Afterwards" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "subsequently" or "thereafter" might be preferred in very formal writing.

What is the difference between "afterward" and "afterwards"?

"Afterward" and "afterwards" are both adverbs with the same meaning, but "afterwards" is more commonly used, especially in British English. They both indicate something happening at a later time.