immediately afterward

USAGE SUMMARY

"immediately afterward" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something happening after a preceding event in a short amount of time. For example, "She finished her work and immediately afterward he asked her to go out for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fife left immediately afterward.

The New Yorker

Immediately afterward he returned.

The New Yorker

Not just immediately afterward.

The New York Times

Immediately afterward, the carping began.

The New Yorker

Immediately afterward, the legend says.

The New Yorker

He returns home immediately afterward.

The New York Times - Sports

Running improved test scores immediately afterward.

The New York Times

Tank shells landed immediately afterward, they said.

The New York Times

Bane was put to sleep immediately afterward.

The New York Times

Immediately afterward, he said, the gun fired.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Immediately afterward, money started pouring in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediately afterward" to clearly and concisely indicate that one event follows another with no significant delay. This helps maintain a clear and logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "immediately afterward" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your language with synonyms like "soon after", "subsequently", or "directly after" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediately afterward" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred in relation to another. It specifies the timing of an event, indicating it happened directly after a preceding one. Ludwig confirms this adverbial function with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immediately afterward" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to clearly indicate that one event follows another with little to no delay. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While "immediately afterward" is generally neutral in tone, users should be mindful of overusing it and consider using alternatives like "directly after that" or "soon afterward" to enhance readability and maintain engagement. Remember to use it when you want to convey the notion of something happening shortly after another event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately thereafter

A more formal alternative, implying a slightly more rigid sequence of events.

directly after that

A straightforward alternative, emphasizing the directness of the sequence.

right after that

A slightly more informal alternative to "immediately afterward".

soon after that

Similar, but allows for a slightly longer time gap between the events.

straightaway

A more informal synonym that emphasizes the lack of delay.

subsequently

Implies a following event, though not necessarily immediately.

in the immediate aftermath

Focuses on the period directly following a significant event, often with a connotation of chaos or consequence.

on the heels of

Suggests that the second event closely follows the first, often with a sense of pursuit or continuation.

instantaneously

Emphasizes the speed and immediacy with which the subsequent action takes place.

at once

Indicates that two things are happening without delay.

FAQs

How can I use "immediately afterward" in a sentence?

Use "immediately afterward" to connect two events that happen in quick succession. For example, "The meeting ended, and "immediately afterward", we went to lunch."

What are some alternatives to "immediately afterward"?

You can use alternatives such as "directly after that", "soon afterward", or "subsequently" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "immediately afterward" and "immediately after"?

"Immediately after" is often followed by a noun or gerund phrase, while "immediately afterward" stands alone or begins an independent clause. For example, "immediately after the game" versus "the game ended; immediately afterward, we celebrated".

When should I use "immediately afterward" versus "later"?

"Immediately afterward" emphasizes the very short time frame between two events, while "later" implies a more significant delay. Choose the word that best reflects the actual timing of the events.