afterwards after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afterwards after" is not correct and is redundant in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it combines two similar terms that convey the same meaning of time following an event. Example: "We finished the meeting, and afterwards after, we went for lunch."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I'm sorry, he said afterwards; after the way they played, they were bound to forgive him.

The Guardian - Sport

Benteke's goal arrived shortly afterwards, after Cazorla had presented the ball to Matthew Lowton, and completely changed the mood.

The Guardian - Sport

He was all smiles afterwards after delivering a hat-trick of victories for Tokyo, wrestling and Bach.

The Guardian - Sport

I thought it was quite rude, to be honest, to say that to us afterwards, after what we'd just done.

The Guardian

Writing it was hard, but it wasn't as hard as talking about it afterwards". After the Booker comedown, Seiffert ducked out of the limelight by living in Berlin and publishing a quiet collection of short stories, Field Study.

The Guardian - Books

However, Agbonlahor apologised soon afterwards after receiving death threats and abused aimed at him on the social media website from "Directioners", the nickname given to the fans of the band.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The dead may look after the afterwards.

The New Yorker

The doctor arrived shortly afterwards, but after 20 minutes of trying to resuscitate Jacob, I was told he was dead.

The Guardian

IOP was taken before each block and afterwards as well as after recovery from mental tasks.

Applied Ergonomics

Measures were ascertained before the intervention, directly afterwards and 1 year after the training.

Journal of Business Venturing Insights

They played point after point afterwards, and the score stands as read".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the redundant phrase "afterwards after". Choose either "afterwards" or "after that" for clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Don't combine synonyms unnecessarily. Using both "afterwards" and "after" creates a repetitive and awkward construction. Opt for one or the other to maintain a clear and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afterwards after" functions as a redundant temporal marker. It attempts to indicate sequence but fails due to the repetition of similar terms. Ludwig AI confirms this redundancy.

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

The phrase "afterwards after" is grammatically incorrect and considered redundant. As Ludwig AI points out, it's best to choose either "afterwards" or "after that" to indicate sequence. The phrase has a low expert rating due to its incorrect usage and redundancy. Better alternatives include "subsequently" or "thereafter", depending on the context. When writing, aim for clarity and avoid unnecessary repetition, especially with phrases like "afterwards after".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after that

Simplifies the phrase, removing the adverbial "afterwards".

subsequently

Replaces both words with a single, more formal term.

thereafter

A more formal synonym for "afterwards", indicating a point in time that follows.

following that

Uses a slightly different structure to indicate what comes next.

later on

Indicates a time in the future from a reference point.

at a later time

More explicitly states that the event happens at a future time.

in due course

Suggests something happening at an appropriate time after an event.

in the aftermath

Focuses on the period directly following a significant event.

down the line

Implies a later point in a sequence of events.

consequently

Focuses on the result or effect of a previous action.

FAQs

How can I avoid using "afterwards after" in my writing?

Simply choose either "afterwards" or "after that". Both convey the meaning of something happening later. Using both is redundant and grammatically incorrect, as confirmed by Ludwig.

What is a more formal alternative to "afterwards"?

Alternatives like "subsequently" or "thereafter" can add a more formal tone to your writing.

Is "afterwards after" ever correct?

No, "afterwards after" is never correct. It's a redundant phrase because "afterwards" and "after" have similar meanings. Choose one or the other.

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

"Afterwards" is an adverb, while "after that" is a prepositional phrase. They are often interchangeable, but "after that" might be clearer in some contexts. Never use them together as "afterwards after".