immediately afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

"immediately afterwards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a particular event that takes place directly after one that has just previously happened. For example: "John was exhausted after his long day at work, but he had to rush to the store immediately afterwards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Immediately afterwards, the shots began.

The Guardian

Immediately afterwards we received complaints".

The New York Times - Tech

But almost immediately afterwards the fight began.

The Guardian

The East German regime fell immediately afterwards.

The Guardian

"We'll start talk about (security) immediately afterwards.

Independent

"We then conceded an equaliser immediately afterwards".

The Guardian - Sport

Then, almost immediately afterwards, he's married.

The Guardian - Film

He left immediately afterwards in a helicopter.

The Guardian - Business

George Osborne's statement is immediately afterwards.

The Guardian

Immediately afterwards she needed foot surgery.

The Guardian - Sport

Immediately afterwards, it spread across the globe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediately afterwards" to clearly indicate that one event follows another with no significant delay. This helps maintain clarity and flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "immediately afterwards" in conjunction with other time markers that convey the same meaning, such as "right then and there" or "at that exact moment", as this can create unnecessary repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediately afterwards" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the time relationship between two events. As supported by Ludwig, it specifies that one event occurs directly after another. Examples show its use to clearly define a temporal sequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immediately afterwards" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote that an event follows another in quick succession. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's particularly common in News & Media, Science and Wiki, but suitable for various contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, more formal substitutes like "subsequently" may be preferred for scientific or academic writing. Remember to avoid redundancy by not pairing it with other time markers with similar meanings. Use "immediately afterwards" to establish a clear chronological order in your writing and to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right after that

This option is more informal and emphasizes immediacy.

directly following that

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the direct sequence of events.

instantaneously then

Emphasizes the lack of delay between two events.

at once

Suggests that the events happen almost simultaneously.

subsequently

More formal, implying a logical sequence rather than just timing.

without delay

Focuses on the absence of any pause after the initial action.

on the heels of that

Figurative language meaning very soon after.

thereupon

A more archaic and formal term for 'immediately afterwards'.

in the wake of that

Implies the second event is a consequence of the first.

in short order

Suggests that the second action happens quickly after the first.

FAQs

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

Use "immediately afterwards" to indicate that something happens directly after a previous event. For example, "The meeting ended, and "immediately afterwards", everyone went to lunch".

What are some alternatives to "immediately afterwards"?

You can use alternatives such as "right after that", "subsequently", or "directly following that" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context.

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

"Immediately after" is often used before a noun or noun phrase, while "immediately afterwards" typically stands alone or follows a clause. For example, "Immediately after the concert" versus "The concert ended; "immediately afterwards", the crowd dispersed".

Can "immediately afterwards" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "immediately afterwards" is suitable for formal writing. However, for a more sophisticated tone, consider using "subsequently" or "thereupon", though the latter is quite archaic.