decide afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decide afterwards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a decision will be made at a later time, after considering the relevant information or circumstances. Example: "Let's gather all the facts first and then we can decide afterwards what the best course of action is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We should reason together; let us reason first and decide afterwards.

Columbia University

The Taliban kill first and decide afterwards if the suspect was involved or not.

The New York Times

Launched on 21 July and running until 10 August – peak high season – the scheme allows guests to stay the night, and decide afterwards how much they feel their stay was worth.

BBC

To decide afterwards which model was used, one can do a simple "thought test".

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I included it right enough, but decided afterwards that the choice would have to be my own: fallible and personal.

The Guardian

Mr. Staggs did a grand job on his can of tuna, a squadron of Disney executives decided afterwards, even if there were a few missteps.

The New York Times

I decided afterwards to also call my representatives, and while I was easily able to leave messages with the staffers of Senator Barbara Boxer and my representative Gloria Negrete McLeod, Senator Diane Feinstein's calling hours were suspiciously closed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Andrew Samuels, an Essex University professor, and immediate past chair of the UK Council for Psychotherapy, insisted the letter was not pro-Labour but was aimed at getting a review of measures taken and proposed over the past five years "If Labour decides afterwards all this is in order, it will go on.

The Guardian

Instead of computing the optimal packet combination of each device and deciding afterwards which of the devices provides the highest gain, this subsection proposes calculating an upper bound on the achievable maximum-delay reduction.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

One friend recalls being convinced by a boyfriend working in Uganda to give up her job and move to Kampala, only for him to decide shortly afterwards that he was going travelling with a mate and "thought it would be really lame to buy a return ticket".

The Guardian

I decided soon afterwards that to get through it, I had to face what had happened.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decide afterwards" when the timing of the decision is important to emphasize, showing it comes after a specific event or period of consideration. For example, "Gather all the data, then decide afterwards which strategy to implement."

Common error

While "decide afterwards" is generally acceptable, it can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "determine subsequently" or "resolve later", especially in academic or business writing. Consider the tone of your writing when choosing between these options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decide afterwards" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of making a decision at a time subsequent to a particular event or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decide afterwards" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for indicating a delayed decision, according to Ludwig. Although present in news, academia and science, the phrase appears to be more frequent in general contexts. When choosing a more formal expression is required, consider alternatives such as "determine subsequently" or "resolve later". Overall, while "decide afterwards" may not be the most formal choice, its clear meaning makes it a valuable addition to your lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine subsequently

Emphasizes the temporal sequence of determination following an initial event or consideration.

resolve later

Indicates a postponement of resolution until a later time.

make a decision later on

More verbose, adding emphasis to the act of making a decision.

judge at a later date

Frames the decision as a judgement to be made in the future.

conclude following this

Highlights the sequential nature of concluding after something else.

adjudge afterward

A more formal synonym for judging after the fact.

settle upon subsequently

Focuses on the act of settling a matter after a period of time.

ascertain down the line

Suggests a future point when something will be ascertained or discovered.

rule in due course

Implies that a ruling will happen eventually at the appropriate time.

elect further down the road

Describes choosing something at a later, unspecified time.

FAQs

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

You can use "decide afterwards" to indicate that a decision will be made following a specific event or period. For example, "Let's review the proposals and "decide afterwards" which one to accept."

What's a more formal alternative to "decide afterwards"?

If you're looking for a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "determine subsequently" or "resolve later".

Is it grammatically correct to say "decide afterwards"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "decide afterwards". It is a common and acceptable phrase in English.

What is the difference between "decide later" and "decide afterwards"?

"Decide later" simply indicates a decision at a future time, whereas "decide afterwards" implies the decision will be made following a specific event or action.