but only subsequently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but only subsequently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs after a particular event or action has taken place. Example: "The results were not immediately clear, but only subsequently did we understand the implications of the findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But only subsequently was General Somkid charged, over the disappearance of a Saudi businessman, who was said to have been hunting for the missing jewels, back in 1990.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Only subsequently did it turn against him.

Independent

It only subsequently morphed into a boutique purveyor of classy, starry stagings.

The Guardian

When that someone yanked him off his bike, he ran – realising only subsequently that his pursuers were uniformed police officers investigating a nearby robbery.

The Guardian

A perfect storm was brewing and Bruce had said after that play-off triumph against Wednesday: "I don't know if I'm staying myself yet," only subsequently to receive "certain assurances" from the Allams.

The Guardian - Sport

A dreary contemporary philistinism, wanting to reduce the works to the life, insists that Britten has to be considered first of all as a lover and idealiser of young boys and only subsequently as a major artist.

The Guardian - Opinion

In profiles, much was made of Yorke's childhood difficulties, the fact that he was born with one eye fixed shut and only subsequently half-opened by a series of failed operations.

The Guardian - Music

At the time of its release, Roger Angell reviewed it in the magazine (the article is available here to subscribers), and reported that Handke conceived the story as a film and only subsequently wrote it as a novella.

The New Yorker

Only subsequently did Adams pursue writing as a career, with a determination which belied her ostensible southern reticence: "She was not going to pretend she wasn't a bright woman," said the editor William Abrahams of Adams in the 1950s.

The Guardian

Among the documents seized by the police at the time were bills carrying dates relating to contracts that were signed only subsequently.

The New York Times

In this way knowledge about the future would not orient pending decisions but could only subsequently legitimise decisions already taken.

European Journal of Futures Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but only subsequently" to clearly establish a sequence where the second event's understanding or impact depends on the first. This ensures the reader grasps the order and connection between the actions or ideas being presented.

Common error

Avoid using "but only subsequently" in casual or conversational contexts. Simpler alternatives like "but later" or "but afterward" often sound more natural and less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but only subsequently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to indicate a temporal sequence. It emphasizes that an event or realization occurred solely after a preceding event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable structure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but only subsequently" is an adverbial phrase used to indicate a temporal sequence, emphasizing that an event occurred solely after another. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage leans towards formal and scientific contexts, making it less common in everyday conversation. More straightforward alternatives like "but later" or "but afterward" may be more appropriate in informal settings. When aiming for precision in analytical or explanatory writing, "but only subsequently" serves to clarify the order and dependency of events, ensuring clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but solely afterwards

This alternative replaces "subsequently" with "afterwards", emphasizing a temporal sequence with a stronger focus on the immediate aftermath.

yet merely thereafter

Using "thereafter" and "merely" adds a slightly more formal tone while still indicating a sequence of events.

though just following that

"Just following that" provides a more conversational alternative, replacing the single adverb with a prepositional phrase.

however simply beyond that

This version uses "beyond that" to indicate a progression in time, maintaining the sense of something happening next.

and not until later

This focuses on the timing, indicating something didn't happen sooner.

but exclusively in the aftermath

This phrase stresses that the event happened specifically as a consequence.

though uniquely at a later stage

This adds emphasis that the event was unique in its timing.

yet singularly further down the line

A more idiomatic expression meaning at a later time or point.

however purely at a later date

Similar to "later", but slightly more formal and specific.

and uniquely after that point

Emphasizes the uniqueness of an event that takes place following a certain moment.

FAQs

What does "but only subsequently" mean?

The phrase "but only subsequently" indicates that something happened after a particular event or action, often implying a cause-and-effect relationship or a sequence of understanding. It emphasizes that the second event occurred solely as a result of, or following, the first.

How can I use "but only subsequently" in a sentence?

You can use "but only subsequently" to show that one event follows another, such as, "The error wasn't apparent initially, but "but only subsequently" did we realize the full extent of the damage."

What are some alternatives to "but only subsequently"?

Alternatives include phrases like "but only later", "but only afterward", or simply "but then", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "but only subsequently" formal or informal?

"But only subsequently" leans towards a more formal register. In less formal contexts, simpler alternatives such as "but later" or "but afterwards" are often preferred.