but thereafter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but thereafter" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a shift in time or events that occur after a specific point in time. Example: The company struggled in its first year, but thereafter, it saw significant growth and success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But thereafter there is nuance.

The Guardian

But thereafter things turned sour.

The Guardian - Music

But thereafter a comforting glow supervenes".

The New Yorker

But, "Thereafter, appetite and mood approached basal levels.

The New York Times - Health

The rebuff couldn't have been more gracious but thereafter he was Irish, no messing.

The Guardian - Books

He won the first two points but thereafter served three double-faults.

The Guardian - Sport

He praises "ordinary workers" but thereafter stigmatises unemployed people and immigrants.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rood screens were allowed to remain, but thereafter they were more often called chancel screens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He attended Trinity College in Dublin but thereafter moved to England.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But thereafter he resumed the privileged career path of the princeling.

The Economist

But thereafter any incentive big enough to change councils' behaviour leaves less revenue for redistribution.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but thereafter" to clearly signal a shift in events or circumstances following an initial action or state. This can improve clarity and flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but thereafter" in very simple sentences where a simpler transition word like "then" or "afterward" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but thereafter" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses while indicating a sequence of events, contrasting the initial situation with what follows. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is typically used to show a shift in time or events after a specific point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but thereafter" is a grammatically correct and commonly used conjunctive adverbial phrase that connects two clauses, indicating a shift in events after a specific point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a solid phrase for clarity. It functions to transition from one state to another and is typically used in neutral and professional contexts, as seen in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While it is important to use it in the right context and avoid overuse, incorporating "but thereafter" can enhance the flow and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but afterwards

Indicates a sequence of events, similar to "but thereafter", but focuses more on the timing of the second event.

but subsequently

Like "but thereafter", it denotes something happening after a specific point, with a slightly more formal tone.

but then

Indicates a change or shift in the sequence of events following the initial situation.

however, after that

Uses "however" to create a contrast and "after that" to indicate time sequence.

yet, following this

Employs "yet" to introduce a contrast while "following this" shows temporal succession.

but from then on

Implies a continuous state after a specific time.

though, in the aftermath

Uses "though" for contrast and "in the aftermath" to denote consequences after an event.

although, from that moment

Uses "although" to present a contrast and "from that moment" to indicate a turning point in time.

but in the wake of that

Similar to "but thereafter", indicating an event following a specific action, but has a sense of causality.

nonetheless, proceeding from there

Employs "nonetheless" to introduce a contrast and "proceeding from there" to indicate a logical sequence.

FAQs

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

Use "but thereafter" to indicate that something happened after a previous event. For example: "The initial investment was substantial, but thereafter, profits steadily increased."

What are some alternatives to "but thereafter"?

You can use alternatives like "but afterwards", "but subsequently", or "however after that" depending on the context.

Is it more correct to use "but then" or "but thereafter"?

"But then" implies a more immediate sequence or consequence, while "but thereafter" suggests a longer period or a series of events following the initial situation. The choice depends on the specific context you're describing.

What's the difference between "but thereafter" and "but before"?

"But thereafter" indicates what happened after a specific point in time, whereas "but before" would indicate what happened prior to that point. They are opposites in terms of temporal sequence.