not long after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not long after" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an event or occurrence that happened shortly after something else. For example: "We had just finished our dinner when the fire alarm went off, not long after."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not long after, Anna dies.

The New York Times - Arts

Not long after, our marriage started shifting.

The New York Times

Not long after, the family left Washington.

The New York Times

Not long after, the garage collapsed.

The New York Times

Not long after, he shaved his head.

The New York Times - Sports

Not long after, though, something else changed.

The New York Times

Not long after, Soriano had a deal.

The New York Times - Sports

Not long after, he fell sick himself.

The New York Times

Not long after, I wrote a novel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not long after, the country knew why.

The New York Times - Sports

Not long after, the Bolsheviks seized power.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider stronger alternatives like "immediately following" if you want to add emphasis to an already succinct description

Common error

Avoid using "not long after" when the actual duration is significant. This phrase implies a short time interval; using it for longer periods could confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not long after" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating a temporal relationship between two events. It modifies the verb in the main clause, specifying when the action occurred in relation to a previous event. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not long after" is a versatile phrase used to describe events occurring in quick succession. As supported by Ludwig and its AI analysis, it's grammatically sound and widely used in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While it functions effectively in both formal and informal writing, bear in mind the importance of avoiding ambiguity regarding the duration of time. For alternatives, consider "shortly after" or "soon after" to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shortly after

Emphasizes the brief duration between events.

soon after

Highlights the quick succession of events.

immediately after

Suggests the second event happens without any delay.

directly following

More formal; indicates a clear sequence with minimal delay.

in short order

Emphasizes the efficiency and speed of the subsequent event.

presently

A more old-fashioned term for 'soon'.

before long

Shifts focus to the anticipation of the coming event.

in due course

Suggests the event happened at the expected time.

anon

An archaic expression meaning soon or shortly.

thereupon

A formal term indicating what immediately followed.

FAQs

How can I use "not long after" in a sentence?

You can use "not long after" to connect two events that occurred in close succession. For example: "The rain stopped, "shortly thereafter", the sun came out."

What are some alternatives to "not long after"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "shortly after", "soon after", or "immediately after". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "not long after" in formal or informal writing?

"Not long after" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, you might prefer "immediately following" or "subsequently".

What is the difference between "not long after" and "a while after"?

"Not long after" indicates a short period, while "a while after" suggests a more extended duration. For example, "not long after" implies minutes or hours, whereas "a while after" could refer to days or weeks.