directly afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

"directly afterwards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event that happens right after another event. Example: She finished her exam and went directly afterwards to the library.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

They will also receive a free invite to the EIFF Sound Tracks club night directly afterwards.

The Guardian

Directly afterwards, the sample was purified using a Qiagen MinElute Kit.

Nature

Measures were ascertained before the intervention, directly afterwards and 1 year after the training.

Journal of Business Venturing Insights

She said directly afterwards, she received a flurry of offers from American and British directors, most of which she discounted.

Independent

"I wrote that speech for him," boasted host Steve Martin directly afterwards – one of many big laughs he and co-host Alec Baldwin received during the evening.

The Guardian - Film

Trump highlighted this accelerating change on his first foreign trip as president – to the Saudi capital Riyadh – by flying on directly afterwards to Tel Aviv.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Indeed, our experiments showed that argon was able to reduce cell death significantly, whether it was applied directly after the trauma or two and three hours afterwards.

Critical Care

Data were collected directly after the intervention and about half a year afterwards.

BMC Psychiatry

This was also done for 2 or 3 C x -values measured directly and corrected afterwards as described above.

BMC Biotechnology

Provide graduation investments to the most promising startups; since the Venture Fund only invests up to $100k over a year, partners have an opportunity to directly invest further afterwards!

UNICEF

We began listing vacation rentals directly on TripAdvisor shortly afterwards and we have grown quickly from there, both organically and through further acquisitions.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directly afterwards" to clearly indicate that one event follows another without any intervening time or action. This helps to avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "directly afterwards" when the subsequent event occurs after a significant delay. Instead, use phrases like "later", "eventually", or "after some time" to accurately reflect the timing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly afterwards" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an event in relation to a preceding one. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It clarifies the sequence of actions, emphasizing the immediate succession.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "directly afterwards" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that an event occurs immediately following another. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and appropriate in written English. The phrase is common across various contexts, particularly in science and news media, signifying its neutrality and wide applicability. When using "directly afterwards", ensure the timing is indeed immediate to avoid ambiguity. For slightly different shades of meaning, consider alternatives such as "immediately following" or "right after that". Ludwig's examples illustrate its versatility in conveying precise temporal relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Immediately following

This alternative is more formal.

Right after that

This alternative is more informal and conversational.

Subsequently

This alternative is more formal and concise.

Thereupon

This alternative is archaic and very formal.

Instantly thereafter

This alternative emphasizes the immediacy but is less common.

Promptly following that

This alternative emphasizes speed and efficiency.

In the immediate aftermath

This alternative is suitable when referring to events after a significant event.

On the heels of that

This alternative is idiomatic and suggests close succession.

At once thereafter

This alternative is a bit old-fashioned and emphasizes simultaneity.

Without delay

This alternative focuses on the lack of waiting time.

FAQs

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

"Directly afterwards" is used to indicate that something happens immediately following a previous event. For example: "The ceremony ended, and the reception began directly afterwards."

What phrases are similar to "directly afterwards"?

Similar phrases include "immediately following", "right after that", and "subsequently". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "immediately afterwards" and "directly afterwards"?

While both phrases convey a sense of immediacy, "directly afterwards" might subtly emphasize a more linear, cause-and-effect relationship compared to "immediately afterwards", which focuses more on the short time frame.

When should I avoid using "directly afterwards"?

Avoid using "directly afterwards" if there is a significant gap in time between the two events. In such cases, using phrases like "later" or "eventually" would be more accurate.