and then immediately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and then immediately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that one action follows another without any delay. Example: "She finished her homework and then immediately went out to play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And then immediately departs, to be replaced by André Schürrle.

The Guardian - Sport

Prince Charles tapped his thigh and then immediately stopped.

The Guardian

She reaches correct conclusions and then immediately discards them.

The Guardian

They hear bad news and then immediately dismiss it.

The New Yorker

4. They hear bad news and then immediately dismiss it.

The New Yorker

I got my diploma and then immediately had no job and nowhere to live.

The New York Times

Even so, it was strange to meet someone in person … and then immediately meet his friends.

The Washington Post

"You don't step out of the gulag and then immediately become free".

The Guardian - Books

6.11pm BST 54 mins: Dauda collects the ball and then immediately thumps it downfield.

The Guardian - Sport

Team A would score and then immediately retreat to its own end of the court.

The New Yorker

He took out $1,200 and then immediately started contributing to the pension plan again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "and then immediately", ensure the context clearly establishes the sequence of events to avoid ambiguity. The phrase works best when the connection between actions is logical and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "and then immediately" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound repetitive or less sophisticated than alternatives like "subsequently" or "thereafter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and then immediately" functions as an adverbial connector, linking two sequential actions with emphasis on the lack of delay. As supported by Ludwig, it connects clauses, specifying the timing of events in relation to one another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "and then immediately" is a grammatically sound adverbial connector used to indicate a rapid sequence of events. With very common usage across various domains, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, it is best to avoid overuse in highly formal writing to maintain a polished tone. Ludwig's analysis further confirms that the phrase effectively communicates urgency and direct consequence, making it a valuable tool in descriptive and narrative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right after that

Emphasizes the temporal proximity of the second event to the first.

immediately afterward

More formal and stresses the subsequent nature of the action.

directly following that

Similar to "immediately afterward" but may imply a more causal relationship.

subsequently without delay

Highlights the absence of any pause between the two actions.

instantaneously after

Implies an almost simultaneous occurrence.

at once thereafter

A more literary or old-fashioned way of expressing immediate succession.

in the next instant

Focuses on the very short time frame involved.

on the heels of that

Suggests the second action closely follows the first, almost chasing it.

hardly had...when

A more complex construction expressing immediacy with a degree of surprise.

no sooner...than

Similar to "hardly had...when" but with a slightly different emphasis on the unexpectedness.

FAQs

How can I use "and then immediately" in a sentence?

The phrase "and then immediately" connects two actions, indicating the second action occurred without delay after the first. For example, "She finished the race, and then immediately collapsed from exhaustion".

What are some alternatives to using "and then immediately"?

You can use alternatives like "right after that", "immediately afterward", or "directly following that" to express a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "and then immediately"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "and then immediately" is generally discouraged in formal writing. It's usually better to incorporate the phrase within the sentence to maintain a smoother flow.

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

"And then immediately" connects two clauses, emphasizing the sequence. "Immediately after" functions as a prepositional phrase, often followed by a noun or gerund describing the first action. For example, "He ate, and then immediately left", versus "Immediately after eating, he left".