some time afterward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some time afterward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a way to indicate that something happened after a period of time. For example: "I was confused about the decision I had made, so I decided to wait some time afterward to be sure of my choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

For some time afterward, Lincoln was overwhelmed by terrible depression and despondency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For some time afterward, Mr. Yackel sat on his front porch.

The New York Times

Some time afterward, the Norman police said, F.B.I. agents requested copies of Mr. Haider's complaint.

The New York Times

But nervous divers gave Sipadan a wide berth and a respite from damage for some time afterward.

The New York Times - Travel

They had not anticipated that forcing them to drink would eventually kill them, however, which it did, some time afterward.

The New York Times

Some time afterward, Britain banned the use of subtherapeutic antibiotics for livestock and required that the drugs be sold only by veterinary prescription.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Daly spent the halftime break and then some more time afterward alone with Rodman, coaching him one last time.

The New York Times - Sports

And then, a short time afterward, some of the brokers who had been selling fraudulent certificates of deposit for R. Allen Stanford began to turn on him; he was arrested in February 2009 and later convicted of a $7 billion fraud.

The New York Times

If you need to have bypass surgery down the road, expect some fogginess for a short time afterward.

Harvard University

That takes some time, and afterward we clean up some loose ends and we're done for the day.  .

Science Magazine

Both served time afterward in Yemeni prisons.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "some time afterward" to clearly indicate that an event occurred after a noticeable duration, providing context for the sequence of events.

Common error

Do not use "some time afterward" when the time frame is very short or immediately following the initial event. Alternatives like "immediately after" or "shortly after" may be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some time afterward" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, indicating when an event took place in relation to a previous event. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "some time afterward" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed temporal phrase. As Ludwig confirms, its strength lies in establishing a clear chronological sequence between events. While its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, from news reports to academic papers, be mindful of the time frame you're conveying—if it's very short, other options could be better. Use it to add clarity and context, ensuring your audience understands the timing of events in your narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a while later

Suggests a slightly shorter duration compared to "some time afterward".

after a certain period

More formal and emphasizes a defined duration.

subsequently

More formal and concise, indicating what follows.

at a later stage

Highlights a progression or sequence of events.

down the line

More informal, suggesting an unspecified point in the future relative to the initial event.

in due course

Implies that something will happen at the appropriate time.

eventually

Suggests that something happens at an unspecified later time, often after a delay.

in the aftermath

Specifically refers to the period following a significant event.

in the fullness of time

Implies a longer duration and a sense of eventual completion.

at a subsequent moment

A formal and precise way of indicating a later point in time.

FAQs

How can I use "some time afterward" in a sentence?

You can use "some time afterward" to indicate that an event occurred following a certain period. For example, "The meeting concluded, and "some time afterward", we received the project proposal."

What phrases are similar to "some time afterward"?

Similar phrases include "a while later", "subsequently", or "eventually", depending on the desired level of formality and the context.

Is it better to use "some time afterward" or "later"?

"Some time afterward" implies a more significant duration than simply "later". Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual time that passed between events.

Can "some time afterward" be used to describe events in the distant future?

While grammatically correct, "some time afterward" is typically used for events that follow within a reasonable and related timeframe. For very distant future events, phrases like "far into the future" might be more suitable.