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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
either afterwards or
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "either afterwards or" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is typically used when presenting two options or alternatives, but the phrase is incomplete and lacks a necessary component to make sense. Example: "You can choose to complete the task either afterwards or at a later time."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Alternative expressions(3)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
Participants learned picture location associations and then rested or performed 35 minutes of physical exercise either immediately afterwards or 4 h afterwards (Van Dongen, Kersten, Wagner, Morris, & Fernández, 2016).
Asked whether America is bound by any international system, legal framework or code of conduct, the US defence secretary replied: "I honestly believe that every country ought to do what it wants to do... It either is proud of itself afterwards, or it is less proud of itself". Translation: the US can do what it likes - including making war on countries that have made no attack on it.
News & Media
He reports having cut fewer lectures during the student strike than either before or afterwards!
Science
Following intoxication with APAP (600 mg/kg) i.p., animals were either treated with neostigmine (80 μg/kg) 1 and 7 hours afterwards or vehicle was applied.
Science
Either memantine (20 mg/kg/day) or PBS was intraperitoneally administered 30 min after the induction of ICH, and, at daily intervals afterwards, for either 3 or 14 days.
Academia
That it should happen again so soon afterwards is either unfortunate or disgraceful, depending on your point of view.
News & Media
But everything afterwards feels either wraparound or like emulation.
News & Media
The steamer sank shortly afterwards and either 104 or 108 survivors were rescued by Tone.
Wiki
All eyes included in this study had initially received a series of 3 monthly injections of either Ranibizumab or Aflibercept, afterwards treatment with both substances was continued in a PRN regimen.
Science
Anecdotally, there's another, clearer, link between these two things: some people suffering from eating disorders turn to plant-based diets as part of their recovery, or afterwards, either purposefully or inadvertently – a shift that can bring with it its own new set of challenges.
News & Media
This was a randomized trial where we compared declarative knowledge examination scores for students who had seen a patient and were then randomized to doing a computer tutorial afterwards that was either relevant or not relevant to the patient seen.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When indicating a sequence of choices or events, always ensure that the adverbial modifier ('afterwards') is logically connected within the sentence structure. Replace the phrase with options like "either later on or" or "either subsequently or" for better clarity.
Common error
Do not use the phrase "either afterwards or" without completing the comparative structure. This construction is grammatically incomplete and diminishes clarity. Always follow "either" with a clear alternative introduced by "or."
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "either afterwards or" functions as a conjunction attempting to present two alternatives related to time. However, it is grammatically incomplete and requires a clearer comparative structure to convey its intended meaning, as pointed out by Ludwig.
Frequent in
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "either afterwards or" is grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear meaning in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it requires a clearer comparative structure to properly express a choice or sequence. It is best to replace it with more complete and grammatically sound alternatives such as "either later on or", "either subsequently or", or "either after that or" to ensure clarity and correctness in writing. Due to its grammatical issues, it's not suitable for formal contexts and should be avoided in professional communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
either subsequently or
Replaces 'afterwards' with 'subsequently' for a more formal tone, emphasizing the sequence of events.
either thereafter or
Uses 'thereafter' in place of 'afterwards' to indicate a formal continuation in time.
either later on or
Substitutes 'afterwards' with 'later on', providing a simpler and more direct expression of time.
either after that or
Replaces 'afterwards' with 'after that' for a slightly more casual but grammatically sound expression.
either following that or
Emphasizes the sequential nature of events with 'following that', offering a clearer alternative.
either in the aftermath or
Focuses on the consequences or period 'in the aftermath', adding a sense of result or consequence.
either at a later time or
Provides a more specific temporal reference, indicating an unspecified point 'at a later time'.
either down the line or
Offers an idiomatic expression indicating a future occurrence 'down the line'.
either in due course or
Suggests that something will happen 'in due course', implying a natural or expected progression.
either in the sequel or
Uses 'in the sequel' to explicitly denote what follows, typically in narratives or sequences.
FAQs
How can I correctly use "either...or" to indicate sequence?
Use phrases like "either subsequently or" or "either later on or" to clearly indicate a choice related to time. For example: "You can complete the task "either subsequently or" at a later time".
What are some alternatives to "either afterwards or"?
Consider using alternatives such as "either later on or", "either thereafter or", or "either after that or" for clarity and grammatical correctness.
Is "either afterwards or" grammatically correct?
No, "either afterwards or" is not grammatically correct. The phrase requires a clearer comparative structure to properly express a choice or sequence. It is better to use "either...or" with more precise temporal adverbs.
What is the difference between "either later or" and "either afterwards or"?
"Either later or" is more concise, while "either afterwards or" is not grammatically complete without another adverbial phrase following the 'or'. Therefore, "either later or" is better, but it is preferable to use "either later on or".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested