directly afterward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "directly afterward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens immediately following another event or action. Example: "She finished her presentation and directly afterward, the audience applauded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

A few teammates spoke to him directly afterward, offering words of encouragement.

The New York Times - Sports

His wife carried his board, he surfed three waves and was then taken to the hospital directly afterward.

The New York Times - Sports

He missed and directly afterward turned his pony round to the left, with the result that Lieutenant Murray Smith, who was coming up behind him, collided with him.

The New York Times

Directly afterward he wrote, in prose, the Gulistān (The Rose Garden), which treated the same moralistic themes as in The Orchard but in a more playful manner.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Vera Wang's runway show was taking place at Lincoln Center directly afterward, and Ms. Knowles decided somewhat casually to stop by.

The New York Times

In the hour and a half directly afterward, CBS's "60 Minutes" capitalized on the high sports ratings, attracting about 17 million viewers.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

"Ale" approached her adviser directly shortly afterward, not with hurt feelings but with a genuine interest in why they would have avoided her with their congratulations.

Science Magazine

In four patients, the embolism was detected during or directly after the examination on the basis of the CT scans; in two patients, shortly afterward due to the symptoms of amaurosis and cerebral infarction.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

The puckish Mr. Hunter, who can't even sit and nod without a mischievous glint in his eyes, speaks so plainly and directly that only afterward does the impact of his words register.

The New York Times

Afterward, Davenport traveled directly to the East Coast, bypassing her home because, she said, "If I stopped in California, I might not get back on another plane".

The New York Times

Mrs. Johnson rose afterward and looked directly at the singer, who leaned against a podium in the yellow-walled family dining room.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directly afterward" to clearly indicate that one event happens immediately after another, creating a sense of close temporal proximity. Avoid using it when the sequence is not crucial.

Common error

While "directly afterward" is grammatically sound, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, consider synonyms like "subsequently" or "thereafter" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly afterward" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action takes place in relation to another. As Ludwig AI suggests, this expression is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

25%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "directly afterward" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that signifies an event occurring immediately following another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally considered acceptable for use across various contexts, although more formal synonyms might be preferable in academic or professional settings. When using "directly afterward", make sure the context implies that two actions occurred in close sequence and without delay. Use can also refer to related phrases or examples to check out if they fits well to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately following

Emphasizes the temporal proximity of the second event to the first.

immediately after

Slightly more formal than "right after", but conveys the same sense of immediacy.

right after

A more informal way of indicating the second event happened very soon after the first.

straight after

British English equivalent of "right after".

in the immediate aftermath

Focuses on the period immediately following a significant event.

without delay

Highlights the lack of pause between the two events.

subsequently

Indicates that the second event followed the first, but doesn't necessarily imply immediacy.

thereafter

A more formal synonym for "subsequently".

instantaneously

Implies that the second event happened virtually at the same time as the first.

at once

Suggests simultaneity, though it can also mean "immediately after" in some contexts.

FAQs

What does "directly afterward" mean?

The phrase "directly afterward" means immediately after something else. It emphasizes that there's little to no delay between two events.

What can I say instead of "directly afterward"?

You can use alternatives like "immediately after", "right after", or "subsequently", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "immediately afterward"?

While "immediately afterward" is not as common as "directly afterward", it is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning. The choice between them depends on personal preference and the desired tone.

How formal is the phrase "directly afterward"?

The phrase "directly afterward" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both informal and formal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "thereafter" or "subsequently" might be preferred in highly formal writing.