hereafter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'hereafter' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the future, often a future of a spiritual nature. Example sentence: We must live our lives with intention, mindful of the hereafter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Aside from Jeanne Lapoirie's gorgeous photography, there's a sensational cast of Gallic talent on show: Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Beart, Virginie Ledoyen, Fanny Ardant... Felicia's Journey (Atom Egoyan, 1999) 2.10am, FilmFour Egoyan, director of Exotica and The Sweet Hereafter, brings his exotic imagination to bear on the banality of evil in a thriller.

The Guardian

Yet most bankers seem to dread damnation in the hereafter as little as censure in the here and now.

The Economist

"Happiness in this life, and in the hereafter" is promised to "those who believe and lead a righteous life"—there is no other way.

The Economist

To utilise it, to prevent its wasteful squandering, to enable the poor man to bank it up for use hereafter, this surely is one of the most urgent tasks before civilisation".

The Economist

Not only were the local organisations of both the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats controlled by cliques that handed out offices, but in Cologne such deals were actually put in writing.The way things are done around hereAfter such publicity, you would expect the participants in these power games to be more careful.

The Economist

One temple-like chamber contains the maquette of an enchanted Tibetan city, ringed by miniature mountains that are a conduit to the hereafter.

The Economist

Mr Rodenbeck examines the surges of religiosity that have overtaken Cairo since medieval days, times when "the hereafter came to outweigh the here and now".

The Economist

The objects they created were for the first time symbolic rather than practical.Decorated bones are found in burial sites or in the dark recesses of caves, indicating a preoccupation with the hereafter and the existence of early shamanist rituals.

The Economist

By the time of the 2010 census, the proportion of non-Hispanic whites (for simplicity's sake called whites hereafter) was down to 64%.

The Economist

GOING strong at 80, Clint Eastwood ventures into supernatural territory with his direction of "Hereafter", a gripping rendering of Peter Morgan's screenplay about three disparate people who all live in the shadow of death.

The Economist

Even when people do not much believe in the hereafter, they easily invoke or envisage heavenly beings to ease death and make some sense of life.It may not be surprising, then, that the world's largest angel sculpture is only a decade old and stands, not in some cathedral, but at the head of the Team valley overlooking Gateshead, in the postindustrial north of England.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hereafter" to add a sense of formality or solemnity, especially when discussing future consequences or events with significant implications.

Common error

Avoid using "hereafter" in casual contexts where simpler phrases like "in the future" or "from now on" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "hereafter" functions primarily as an adverb of time, indicating a point or period subsequent to the present. It's often used to denote future events or states, particularly in formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms this adverbial usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hereafter" is a formal adverb primarily functioning as an adverb of time. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in numerous contexts. Its register is formal and it's frequently used in scientific and news media sources, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig. When writing, "hereafter" can add a touch of solemnity or formality, making it suitable for discussions about future consequences or afterlife. Remember that in informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "in the future" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the afterlife

Specifically refers to existence after death, a common connotation of "hereafter".

hereinafter

A formal term, similar to "hereafter", often used in legal or official documents to refer to something mentioned later in the document.

in the future

Replaces "hereafter" with a simpler, more general reference to future time.

from now on

Focuses on the immediate future and ongoing consequences.

in time to come

Emphasizes the passage of time leading to a future state.

in the ensuing time

Refers to the period of time that follows.

subsequently

Highlights the sequence of events following a specific point.

in future times

A more emphatic way to refer to future times.

in the days ahead

Indicates the near future, with a sense of anticipation.

down the line

An informal reference to the distant future or at a later stage.

FAQs

How can I use "hereafter" in a sentence?

Use "hereafter" to refer to a time in the future or to existence after death. For example, "We must consider the consequences of our actions, both in this life and in the hereafter".

What can I say instead of "hereafter"?

You can use alternatives like "in the future", "from now on", or "in the afterlife" depending on the context.

Is "hereafter" formal or informal?

"Hereafter" is considered a formal term. It is best suited for serious or official contexts, rather than casual conversation.

What is the difference between "hereinafter" and "hereafter"?

"Hereinafter" refers to something that will be mentioned later in the same document. "Hereafter" generally refers to a time in the future or a state of existence after death. So, you could use "hereinafter" when defining a term for subsequent use, but not when discussing the afterlife.