it was afterwards when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was afterwards when" is not correct in standard written English.
It is redundant because "afterwards" already implies a time sequence, making "when" unnecessary. Example: "It was afterwards that I realized my mistake."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So it was before the first war, so it was before the second, and so it was afterwards, when we were all hoping a third one would erupt".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's afterwards when people start coming out with all sorts of nonsense.

The Guardian - Sport

"The problem I had, is that when you hope you have known someone for some time, it's afterwards when people start coming out with all sorts of nonsense.

The Guardian - Sport

It was only afterwards, when the reckoning was done, that a victor would be apparent.

Independent

It was only afterwards, when I developed the film, that I saw the handbag.

The Guardian - Arts

"It was only afterwards, when we were doing the publicity, that I realised this music is born out of the same place where Irvine wrote the stories and the characters," says Boyle. "There's that connection.

Vice

It's only afterwards when you've lost it that you realise you've lost it.' Is that why he is quitting?

The Guardian - Film

However it is used afterwards when building the final diversity tree, thereby eliminating any conformations that were retained in error.

Journal of Cheminformatics

"I suppose it's only afterwards when you pause and in the quiet time that you think about it.

BBC

The poem is afterwards there when you need it.

Huffington Post

Bolton pulled a goal back when Matt Mills' flick-on was collected by Liam Trotter and he slotted past the goalkeeper, and it was 4-2 shortly afterwards when Mills, playing as a makeshift striker, headed home a loose ball in the box, but the home side held on.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "it was afterwards when" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "it was later that" or "only after that".

Common error

Do not combine "afterwards" with "when" as "afterwards" already implies a temporal sequence. Using "when" in this context is redundant and creates an awkward sentence structure. Replace it with a simpler construction like "it was later that" or "it was subsequently that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was afterwards when" attempts to function as a relative clause, indicating a time relationship between two events. However, Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically incorrect due to redundancy. Alternatives such as "it was later that" serve the same function correctly.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was afterwards when" is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect due to the redundant use of "afterwards" and "when". "Afterwards" already implies a temporal sequence, making "when" unnecessary. While examples do exist across various sources, the consensus is that alternatives like "it was later that", "only later did", or "it was only after that" provide clearer and grammatically sound ways to express the same meaning. Avoiding the original phrase enhances the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was later that

Replaces "afterwards when" with a simpler temporal indicator. "Later" directly signifies a subsequent time.

it was subsequently that

Substitutes "afterwards when" with a more formal term indicating sequence.

only later did

Emphasizes the delayed realization or occurrence of an event.

it was only after that

Highlights that something happened specifically after a certain condition was met.

it then became apparent that

Focuses on the revelation or understanding of something at a later time.

after that, it became clear

Introduces a clearer sequence of events, emphasizing the clarity gained after the initial event.

following that, it transpired that

A more formal way to indicate that something became known after a specific event.

subsequent to that, it emerged that

Indicates a formal and delayed revelation of information.

in retrospect, it was

Highlights a realization or understanding gained by looking back at a past event.

looking back, it's clear that

Similar to "in retrospect", this phrase emphasizes a clearer understanding from a present viewpoint.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "it was afterwards when"?

The phrase "it was afterwards when" is considered grammatically incorrect because the word "afterwards" already implies a time sequence, making the conjunction "when" unnecessary and redundant. Alternatives like "it was later that" or "it was subsequently that" are preferred.

How can I rephrase "it was afterwards when" to sound more natural?

To sound more natural, replace "it was afterwards when" with phrases such as "only later did" or "it was only after that". These alternatives remove the redundancy and improve clarity.

Is there a formal alternative to "it was afterwards when"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "it was subsequently that" or "following that, it transpired that". These options maintain a professional tone while avoiding the grammatical error.

Can "it was afterwards when" be used in informal contexts?

While technically incorrect, "it was afterwards when" might occasionally appear in very informal speech. However, it's best to avoid it even in casual settings and opt for simpler, grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clear communication.