shortly afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

"shortly afterwards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're wanting to convey that something happened soon after something else, usually in a narrative. Example sentence: We had dinner, and shortly afterwards she said she had to leave.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shortly afterwards developers descended.

The Economist

Shortly afterwards they did.

The Economist

He died shortly afterwards.

The Guardian

Nicklinson died shortly afterwards.

The Guardian

Shortly afterwards, United equalised.

The Guardian - Sport

She died shortly afterwards.

The Guardian

They died shortly afterwards.

The Guardian

Shortly afterwards, eight.

The Guardian

Shortly afterwards, she disappeared.

The Guardian

Ms Taylor died shortly afterwards.

Independent

He was arrested shortly afterwards.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shortly afterwards" to clearly establish a temporal sequence where the second event occurs very soon after the first. This helps maintain a smooth narrative flow and avoid ambiguity about the timing of events.

Common error

Avoid using "shortly afterwards" to connect two clauses that are already closely linked by a conjunction or other temporal marker. Overusing such phrases can make your writing sound redundant and less concise. For example, instead of saying 'He arrived and shortly afterwards he left', consider 'He arrived and left immediately'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shortly afterwards" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when an action occurred. It provides temporal context, specifying that the action happened a brief time after a previous event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

18%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shortly afterwards" is a grammatically sound and widely used adverbial phrase that denotes a quick succession of events. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly suitable for written English. The phrase appears most often in News & Media, followed by Wiki and Science contexts, making it versatile across different registers, yet its straightforward nature provides clarity and temporal precision. While there are several synonyms, such as "soon after that" or "immediately after", the choice depends on the specific nuances you wish to convey and the formality of the context. Understanding its function and usage patterns ensures effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soon after that

Emphasizes the immediacy following the initial event, placing it as close to the initial event as possible.

shortly thereafter

A more formal synonym, maintaining the sense of quick succession but suitable for formal contexts.

soon thereafter

A formal alternative, conveying swift succession and appropriate in formal contexts.

immediately after

Highlights the lack of delay, suggesting near-instantaneous sequence.

directly following

Indicates a close and immediate sequence of events, commonly used in instructions or descriptions.

right after that

Emphasizes immediacy and direct succession, indicating virtually no time elapses between events.

in short order

Implies the second action or event happened quickly, and with efficiency.

a moment later

Puts more emphasis on the brief duration between the first and second event.

not long after

Focuses on the brief time, while subtly drawing attention to the potential impact of the following event.

quickly following that

Focuses on how fast the next event took place.

FAQs

How can I use "shortly afterwards" in a sentence?

Use "shortly afterwards" to indicate that something happened soon after a previous event. For example: "The meeting ended, and "soon afterwards", everyone left the room."

What are some alternatives to "shortly afterwards"?

You can use phrases like "soon after that", "immediately after", or "soon thereafter" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "shortly afterwards" and "soon afterwards"?

While both phrases indicate that something happened after a previous event, "shortly afterwards" might suggest a slightly shorter time frame than "soon afterwards". The choice often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Can I use "shortly afterwards" in formal writing?

Yes, "shortly afterwards" is appropriate for formal writing. Although, in some instances, synonyms such as "shortly thereafter" or "immediately after" might be preferred for a more sophisticated tone.