but afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but afterwards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a sequence of events, where something occurs first and is followed by another action or situation later. Example: "We had a great time at the party, but afterwards, we decided to grab some late-night snacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But afterwards?

The Guardian

But afterwards, nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

But afterwards he was a little sheepish.

Independent

But afterwards they're glad they had".

Independent

But afterwards, two young people came up.

Independent

But afterwards the government still did nothing.

The Guardian

But afterwards, she's alone once more.

The Guardian - Film

But afterwards maybe people forgot a little.

The Guardian

But afterwards all prisoners were given one.

The Guardian

But afterwards you went back to the south.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We pull the trigger just as we always have done, but afterwards we apologise.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but afterwards" to clearly indicate a shift or contrast in the situation following an initial event. This helps to create a cohesive narrative and highlight unexpected outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "but afterwards" when the sentence already implies a sequence of events. Redundant phrases like "but afterwards, later on" can make your writing sound clumsy. Choose one clear indicator of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but afterwards" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a temporal sequence and introducing a contrast or unexpected outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but afterwards" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to introduce a contrasting or sequential element following an initial event. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is correct and frequently employed across various forms of writing. It's considered neutral in register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. To enhance clarity and avoid redundancy, it's best to use "but afterwards" when clearly marking a shift in time or situation. Remember that alternatives like "but later" or "subsequently" can be used for slight variations in tone or emphasis. Given its common usage, mastering the application of "but afterwards" can significantly improve the flow and coherence of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but later

Indicates a simple temporal sequence, omitting the conjunction's contrastive element.

but subsequently

A more formal term indicating a later occurrence, retaining the conjunction's contrast.

however, subsequently

Replaces "but" with "however", emphasizing the contrast more explicitly.

yet afterwards

Substitutes "but" with "yet", adding a sense of surprise or unexpectedness.

though afterwards

Uses "though" instead of "but", implying a concession.

nonetheless, later

Replaces both "but" and "afterwards" with alternatives that retain a sense of contrast and sequence.

even so, later

Expresses a similar contrast and temporal sequence using different connecting words.

on the other hand, later

Focuses on the contrast between two situations occurring at different times.

but following that

Emphasizes the immediate succession of events.

after that, however

Inverts the order, placing "after that" first and adding "however" for contrast.

FAQs

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

The phrase "but afterwards" is used to introduce a contrasting or unexpected event that occurred after a previous one. For example, "The team played poorly in the first half, but afterwards, they made a comeback and won the game."

What's a good alternative to "but afterwards"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "but later", "but subsequently", or "however, later" to express a similar meaning.

Is there a more formal way to say "but afterwards"?

Yes, in more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "however, subsequently" or "nonetheless, later" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "but afterwards" and "but then"?

While both phrases indicate a sequence of events, "but afterwards" emphasizes that the second event occurs after the first, while "but then" can sometimes imply a more immediate or logical consequence.