only after that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only after that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a time or condition shortly after a prior event. For example, you could say "I was able to go to the beach only after that I had finished my chores."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only after that come profits.

The New Yorker

Radiation treatment was done only after that.

The New York Times

(It never happened). Only after that come profits.

The New Yorker

Teaching in English is introduced only after that.

The New York Times

Only after that did the team, tattered and exhausted, begin to pick itself up.

The Washington Post

Only after that would the proven model be rolled out across the network.

Harvard Business Review

Only after that will the film be shown to anyone else.

The Guardian

Only after that does the actual legal process of seeking asylum commence.

The New Yorker

Only after that can a company appeal to the federal Court of Appeals.

The New York Times

Only after that would the jury set the amount of any damages.

The New York Times

Only after that does anyone want to know the problem in question.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only after that" to clearly establish a chronological sequence, emphasizing that a particular action or event is contingent on a preceding one. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "only after that" when a simple 'after that' suffices. Overusing the 'only' can make your writing sound repetitive or overly emphatic, especially if the exclusivity isn't crucial to the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only after that" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an action or event. It introduces a condition of time. As seen in Ludwig, it is frequently used to clarify the sequence of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only after that" serves as an effective adverbial phrase to emphasize the chronological order and dependency of events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. While it's a common phrase, awareness of potential overuse and available alternatives enhances writing precision. As demonstrated through usage examples, it’s most frequently encountered in news and media, academic and scientific sources. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively leverage "only after that" to improve clarity and coherence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely after that

Adding 'solely' emphasizes the exclusivity of the condition: it happens only and exclusively after that.

following that

This alternative maintains the sequential aspect but uses a different prepositional phrase.

post that event

A more formal and direct way of saying something occurred after a specific event.

subsequently

This single word replaces the entire phrase, offering a more concise way to indicate that something happens after something else.

succeeding that

This alternative emphasizes the chronological order and the succession of events.

thereafter

Similar to 'subsequently', 'thereafter' provides a formal and succinct way to express 'after that'.

only then

Similar to 'not until then', it highlights that something is contingent on a previous event.

once that is done

This phrase shifts the focus to the completion of a task before the next event can occur.

not until then

This phrase emphasizes the condition that something doesn't happen before a specific time, rather than just after.

in the wake of that

This implies that what follows is a consequence or result of the previous event.

FAQs

How can I use "only after that" in a sentence?

The phrase "only after that" is used to emphasize that something can happen just after a prior event. For example, "The payment will be processed, "only after that", you will receive the confirmation email".

What phrases are similar to "only after that"?

Similar phrases include "subsequently", "thereafter", or "following that", each offering a slightly different nuance in emphasizing the sequence of events.

Is it redundant to say "only after that"?

While not inherently redundant, overuse of "only after that" can sometimes make your writing sound repetitive. Consider whether the emphasis provided by "only" is truly necessary, or if a simpler "after that" would suffice.

How does "only after that" differ from "afterward"?

"Only after that" emphasizes a conditional sequence, implying something cannot happen before. "Afterward" ("afterward"), on the other hand, simply indicates a later time without necessarily implying a condition.