it was only subsequently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was only subsequently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happened after a previous event or action, often to emphasize the timing of the occurrence. Example: "The proposal was initially rejected, but it was only subsequently that the committee reconsidered their decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was only subsequently that he realised someone had worked all this out before: the white horse is already the symbol of Kent ("... the emblem of Horsa, the brother of Hengest, who defeated the King Vortigern near Aylesford... ..) Things often seem to work out like this for Wallinger.

The Guardian - Arts

It was only subsequently, when they noticed no speed difference and asked about 4G coverage, that EE admitted neither the customer's home town or workplace location were on its rollout map — and would likely never get LTE.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We could always go back to the next film, and it's only subsequently since that I realized what a big thing it is.

Huffington Post

Robertson gets this idea from Milne's book, which he had earlier reviewed (but which was only subsequently published) for Astrophysical Journal (Robertson 1936).

SEP

An event was only subsequently used in the analyses if both individuals were identified.

Plosone

This relationship was only subsequently inferred from striking relationships between the probability of deviants and neurophysiological time series (e.g., Csepe et al. 1987; Pincze et al. 2002).

Cerebral Cortex

The tendency to ground theory in a set of abstract principles that are only subsequently applied to practical problems makes it easy to ignore (bio ethically relevant particulars such as the unequal burden borne by women by virtue of their conventional reproductive and nurturing roles, or inequities between social and economic groups.

SEP

That might be valuable in an exploration of belief since it is often said that religion is caught rather than taught: the idea is that faith is primarily a form of life, which is only subsequently forged into a set of beliefs.

The Guardian - Opinion

The decisions regarding the DBS treatment were taken solely by physicians at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital and the PD patient volunteers were only subsequently recruited for the study.

BMC Genomics

Our ferrets were trained on the procedural aspects of the lateralization task using broadband noise, and were only subsequently tested with pure tones.

European Journal of Neuroscience

Application of hybridization-based marker technologies to BSA not only reduces the genotyping effort, but has the additional benefit of producing quantitative raw data (hybridization intensities) which are only subsequently converted into discrete genotypes (allele calls) in the case of non-BSA applications.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was only subsequently" to clearly indicate that an event or realization occurred after a preceding action or event. This phrasing is effective when emphasizing the timing and sequence of events is crucial for clarity.

Common error

While "it was only subsequently" is grammatically correct, overuse in informal contexts can make your writing sound stiff. Consider more conversational alternatives like "it was only later" or "it was only afterwards" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was only subsequently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an event. Ludwig examples show how it emphasizes that something happened or became known after a preceding event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was only subsequently" functions as an adverbial phrase to emphasize that an event or realization occurred after a preceding one. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While "subsequently" might sound formal in casual conversation, it’s perfectly appropriate in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. Consider alternatives like "it was only later" or "it was only afterwards" for less formal settings. Remember to use this phrase to clearly establish the timing and sequence of events in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was only afterwards

Replaces "subsequently" with "afterwards", offering a slightly less formal alternative that still denotes a later occurrence.

it was only later

Uses "later" in place of "subsequently", simplifying the phrasing to indicate that something happened at a later time.

it was only then

Emphasizes the point in time when the realization or event occurred, using "then" to highlight the specific moment of change.

it was only following that

Introduces "following that" for a more descriptive connection between events, making the sequence more explicit.

it was only in retrospect

Shifts focus to a reflective understanding, indicating that the realization came with hindsight.

it became apparent only later

Highlights the gradual realization of something, using "became apparent" to emphasize the unfolding understanding.

the realization only came after

Rearranges the sentence to emphasize the delayed realization, using "came after" for a clear temporal sequence.

only after that did it become clear

Emphasizes the conditionality and the delayed clarity of the situation, using "only after that" to stress the necessary precursor.

it was not until later that

Uses a negative construction to highlight the delay, emphasizing that something did not happen until a later point.

it only dawned on [someone] subsequently

Focuses on the moment of realization and the fact that it was delayed.

FAQs

What does "it was only subsequently" mean?

The phrase "it was only subsequently" means that something happened or became known at a later time, after a previous event. It emphasizes the sequence and timing of events.

Are there alternatives to "it was only subsequently"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "it was only later", "it was only afterwards", or "it was only then" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to use "it was only subsequently" or "it was subsequently only"?

"It was only subsequently" is the more common and grammatically correct phrasing. "It was subsequently only" may sound awkward to native English speakers.

How can I use "it was only subsequently" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate a delayed realization or action, such as: "The initial analysis was flawed; "it was only subsequently" that the correct data was discovered."