instantly after

USAGE SUMMARY

"instantly after" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means "immediately after" or "right after", and is often used to indicate a short amount of time passing between two actions or events. Example: "I finished my work and then left the office instantly after."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some students fled the building instantly after the shots.

The New York Times

They state that at the equator "darkness falls almost instantly after sunset, there is no twilight".

Cornell University

The police said one of the men died instantly after being shot by Mr. Davis.

The New York Times

The police said one of the men died instantly after being shot.

The New York Times

Lippegrenfell said she liked Hockfield instantly after seeing a photograph of the new president with her family on Aug 26.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Happily, this enervating mood of wintry discontent gives way to sprightly spring almost instantly after the intermission.

The New York Times

Catherine Mullany died instantly after being shot but the nurse tried to stabilise Ben Mullany before the arrival of paramedics.

The Guardian

They are fascinated by the subtle cultural differences that reveal themselves almost instantly after they cross into Canada.

The New York Times - Travel

Ana Louise North, 19, died instantly after the collision on Baldwin Street, Dunedin, on New Zealand's South Island.

The Guardian

In August, Mr. Tools said he knew instantly after awakening from the implant surgery that he was getting better.

The New York Times

The 5-year-old had become fast friends with Stanford medical student Tori Bawel almost instantly after Bawel arrived in San Lucas Tolimán.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "instantly after" to clearly convey that one event occurred without any noticeable delay following another. It's effective when emphasizing the immediate consequence or sequence of actions.

Common error

Avoid using "instantly after" when there is a significant lapse of time between events. The phrase implies near simultaneity; using it otherwise can mislead the reader about the timing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instantly after" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, indicating the timing of an event in relation to another. It specifies that an action or state occurs immediately following a previous action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "instantly after" is a grammatically sound and frequently used temporal prepositional phrase that conveys a near-simultaneous sequence of events. Ludwig AI highlights its correctness and widespread application across diverse fields like news reporting, scientific research, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, prioritize contexts where there is indeed an immediate succession to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation. Alternative phrases such as "immediately following" or "right after" may be appropriate depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately following

Emphasizes the sequence of events in a more formal tone.

right after

More informal and direct, suggesting no delay.

directly after

Highlights the direct temporal succession.

promptly after

Suggests that the second event occurred without any delay and with readiness.

momentarily after

Focuses on the extremely short duration of the delay.

in the wake of

Often used when the first event causes the second.

on the heels of

Suggests that the second event is closely pursuing the first.

upon

More formal, indicating that the second event is contingent on the first.

hard on the heels of

Implies a relentless pursuit or very close succession of events.

in short order after

Suggests speed and efficiency in the sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "instantly after" in a sentence?

Use "instantly after" to show that something happens immediately following another event. For example, "The pain vanished "immediately after" birth".

What's a more formal alternative to "instantly after"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "immediately following" or "directly after". These options provide a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

Is there a subtle difference between "instantly after" and "immediately after"?

While "instantly after" and ""immediately after"" are often interchangeable, "instantly" might suggest an even shorter duration. The choice depends on the context and the desired emphasis on the speed of succession.

When is it inappropriate to use "instantly after"?

Avoid using "instantly after" if there is a noticeable or measurable delay between the two events. It's best suited for situations where the second event occurs virtually without delay following the first.