and afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

"and afterwards" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that happened after a previous event. For example: "We went to the store and afterwards went out for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And afterwards?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And afterwards — we'll see.

The New Yorker

And afterwards, I'm dazed.

The Guardian

"And afterwards there's cake.

The New Yorker

And afterwards there'd be a quarrel.

The New Yorker

And afterwards, who do you punish?

Independent

And afterwards they burst into applause.

The New York Times

"And afterwards, rust, thistles, silence, sky".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

And then, afterwards, as a relaxing agent and pain reliever.

The New Yorker

And partying afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

Beenhakker was surprised and delighted afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and afterwards" to clearly indicate the sequence of events, ensuring your writing flows logically. For example, "We completed the presentation, and afterwards, we celebrated with dinner."

Common error

In formal contexts, avoid overusing "and afterwards". Instead, vary your language with phrases like "subsequently", "thereafter", or "following that" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and afterwards" functions as a conjunctive adverbial. It connects two clauses or sentences, indicating that the second event occurs in time following the first. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

26%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and afterwards" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a conjunctive adverbial to establish chronological order. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and effective for indicating a sequence of events. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "subsequently" or "thereafter" might be preferable in academic or professional contexts. Remember to use "and afterwards" to ensure clarity in your writing, and avoid overuse by diversifying your transitional phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and subsequently

Formal alternative, implies a logical sequence or consequence.

and then

More general and common, indicating a simple sequence in time.

and later

Similar to "and then" but emphasizes a time difference.

and following that

More formal and explicit about the sequence.

and thereafter

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

and next

Simple and direct, indicating the immediate next step.

and upon completion

Indicates that something happens after a task is finished.

and in the aftermath

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

and as a result

Highlights the consequence of the initial event.

and with that

Implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship and immediate succession.

FAQs

How can I use "and afterwards" in a sentence?

"And afterwards" is used to indicate a sequence of events. For example, "They finished the meeting, and afterwards, they went for lunch."

What phrases can I use instead of "and afterwards"?

Alternatives include "and subsequently", "and then", or "and later" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "and afterwards" and "subsequently"?

"And afterwards" is more general, while "subsequently" often implies a logical consequence or a more formal tone.

Can I start a sentence with "and afterwards"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "and afterwards" may sound less formal. Consider rephrasing or using a more formal alternative like "subsequently" or "thereafter" to start a sentence.