directly after that

USAGE SUMMARY

"directly after that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate a chronological order of events or actions. Example: "She finished her presentation, and directly after that, she received a standing ovation from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

For cDNA synthesis, 1  μL T11VN Oligo-dT (0.5  μg/ μL) and 1  μg mRNA were incubated for 10 min at 70°C and cooled directly after that.

BioMed Research International

Fraser Forster blocked the shot but it was directly after that save that Rose jutted out his right arm to give away the penalty from Narsingh's cross.

The Guardian - Sport

It's made pretty clear that these events come directly after that final, 24-year dinner at the Singing Towers – and that's what makes him sad.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At one point, the man even made the comment "Brother can't even say King's name.…" Almost directly after that comment, the broadcast of the show was interrupted and, for the last ten to fifteen minutes of the show, just a message with the date and name of the show appeared on the screen.

The New Yorker

(I find it a slight pity that John Aubrey, who pioneered this kind of work, and about whom one or two odd tales have been told, doesn't rate a mention here. But this is the tiniest of quibbles). Why is the story of "Gentle Johnny" placed directly after that of the secret drawer of John Dee, when three and a half centuries separate them?

The Guardian - Books

What happened directly after that wasn't clear.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

We never spoke to him directly again after that point and Julia disappeared from view too.

The Guardian

For pulsations to mimic this, the star would have to pulsate regularly with a red shift and blue shift in a sinusoidal pattern and then somehow develop a sunspot directly after blueshift that persists for exactly the same time it takes a planet to cross in front of the stellar disk.

Cornell University

And clean from room to room, vacuuming or mopping up each room directly after cleaning that specific area.

Huffington Post

This program is modeled directly after a program that's proven effective in treating civilian patients with depression".

Huffington Post

Adult lobster mortality is most common either during or directly after moulting, so that requiring fewer moults to achieve legal size should increase the likelihood that a lobster survives until it is large enough to be harvested.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directly after that" to clearly establish a chronological sequence of events, emphasizing the immediate succession. This enhances clarity and flow in your writing.

Common error

While "directly after that" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "subsequently" or "thereafter" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly after that" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an event. It specifies when something occurred in relation to a preceding event, highlighting a close temporal sequence as per Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "directly after that" is an adverbial phrase used to indicate a clear and immediate sequence of events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While considered uncommon in frequency, it appears most often in news and media and scientific contexts. For more formal writing, alternatives such as "subsequently" or "thereafter" may be more appropriate. This analysis, combined with usage tips and common error avoidance, aims to guide effective and precise use of the phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately following that

Emphasizes the very close temporal proximity of the second event.

right after that

A more informal way to express the same immediacy.

instantly after that

Highlights the instantaneous nature of the second event following the first.

subsequent to that

A more formal and slightly detached way of indicating the order of events.

thereupon

A somewhat archaic and literary term for immediately after.

without any delay after that

Explicitly states the lack of a time gap between the events.

following on from that

Common in British English, indicating a direct consequence or continuation.

in the wake of that

Suggests the second event is a direct result or consequence of the first.

on the heels of that

Emphasizes the closeness in time, often suggesting a chase or pursuit.

hard upon that

Similar to 'on the heels of', but more forceful and immediate.

FAQs

How can I use "directly after that" in a sentence?

Use "directly after that" to indicate that something happened immediately following a previous event. For example, "The concert ended, and "directly after that", the crowd rushed to the exits."

What's a more formal alternative to "directly after that"?

Alternatives such as "subsequently", "thereafter", or "immediately following that" can lend a more formal tone to your writing.

Is it redundant to say "immediately directly after that"?

Yes, using both "immediately" and "directly" is redundant as they both convey a sense of immediacy. Choose one or the other to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Can I use "directly after that" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "directly after that" can sometimes sound awkward. Consider rephrasing for smoother flow, such as, "Immediately following that, the situation escalated."