seconds later

USAGE SUMMARY

"seconds later" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to denote a short passage of time that has passed since some other point in the narrative. For example, "He grabbed his shoes and ran out the door, seconds later the police could be heard approaching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Only 60 seconds later".

The New York Times - Sports

Seconds later, the ambulance exploded.

The New York Times

Seconds later, Collison drives again.

The New York Times - Sports

Seconds later, the phone rings.

The New York Times

Seconds later, I was flying.

The New York Times - Travel

Seconds later, the doorbell rang.

The New York Times

Seconds later, Collins was ejected.

The New York Times - Sports

Seconds later, Larsen was through.

The New York Times - Magazine

He bailed out seconds later.

The New York Times

Seconds later Neilsen collapsed.

The New York Times - Sports

Seconds later, another hit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seconds later" to clearly establish a temporal relationship between two events, enhancing narrative flow and comprehension. Avoid using it repetitively in close proximity; vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple sentences that begin with "seconds later", as it can make your writing monotonous. Instead, try subordinating clauses or varying sentence structures to create a more dynamic reading experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seconds later" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurred, indicating a brief temporal relationship between two events, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seconds later" is a common adverbial phrase that serves to establish a close temporal relationship between two events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various forms of writing. To effectively use this phrase, ensure clarity and vary sentence structure to avoid redundancy. Consider alternatives like "shortly afterward" or "immediately following" for similar effects. By understanding its function and application, you can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

split seconds later

Emphasizes that the second event happened almost instantaneously.

shortly afterward

Emphasizes the brief duration of time passing between events.

immediately following

Suggests a direct and almost instantaneous sequence of events.

a few moments after

Highlights the brevity and indefinite nature of the time span.

in quick succession

Focuses on the rapid sequence of multiple events, implying minimal delay.

soon thereafter

Indicates that the second event happened not much later.

in the immediate aftermath

Connects the second event directly to the consequences of the first.

a heartbeat later

Uses a more figurative expression to imply something happened very quickly.

right on the heels of

Suggests one event following another very closely and rapidly.

without delay

Highlights the absence of any pause or waiting time between events.

FAQs

How can I use "seconds later" in a sentence?

Use "seconds later" to indicate a brief time interval between two events. For example, "The starting pistol fired; "seconds later", the runners surged forward".

What are some alternatives to using "seconds later"?

Alternatives include phrases like "shortly afterward", "immediately following", or "a few moments after", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it appropriate to start a sentence with "seconds later"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "seconds later" is grammatically correct and can be effective for creating a sense of immediacy or highlighting the quick succession of events. However, vary your sentence structure to avoid monotony.

How does the meaning of "seconds later" compare to "minutes later"?

"Seconds later" indicates a very short interval, whereas "minutes later" implies a longer, though still relatively brief, passage of time. The choice depends on the actual duration between the events you are describing.