some time afterwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some time afterwards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a period that follows an event or action, suggesting that some time has passed since that event. Example: "They finished their project, and some time afterwards, they received positive feedback from their clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some time afterwards, she moved back to London.

The Guardian - Books

For some time afterwards my children talked accusingly about "that nice lady you scared away".

The Guardian

For some time afterwards, Waugh referred to Heygate as "the basement boy".

The Guardian - Books

Some time afterwards, Phantom Of The Opera appeared in bookshops around St Petersburg.

The Guardian - Music

It wasn't until some time afterwards that she started looking through photographs.

The Guardian - Arts

But, then, and for some time afterwards, the process involved an extreme physical trial on the subject's part.

Stanford University

Tears came to her eyes some time afterwards when she found out that Mr. Friedmann was ill and dying.

The New Yorker

The derelict finally commits suicide but his memory stays with the counterman and the customer for some time afterwards.

The New Yorker

Some time afterwards, though, Anderson told an American TV host, "it has an emotional accuracy that runs right through it".

The Guardian - Film

Some time afterwards he died childless, leaving his kingdom and his riches to Stesagoras, who was the son of Cimon, his half-brother.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Some time afterwards he settled in Florida, where he set up foundations to promote democracy in Cuba and independent teaching in the schools.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "some time afterwards", ensure the context clearly establishes the initial event or period to which it refers. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "some time afterwards" without a clear reference point in the text. Make sure the reader knows exactly what event the phrase is referring back to; otherwise, the timeline becomes confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some time afterwards" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an event in relation to a previous one. It specifies that an action occurred at a point following another action, as demonstrated by the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

21%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "some time afterwards" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that serves to establish temporal sequence between events. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and its examples showcase its versatility across various contexts, from academic and scientific writing to news reports and general narratives. While the register is generally neutral, writers should ensure a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "later on" or "subsequently", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis on the sequence. This phrase is widely accepted and understood, making it a reliable choice for conveying the timing of events. The most frequent authoritative sources where you can find the expression are The Guardian, Wikipedia and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thereafter

A formal alternative indicating "after that" with a stronger sense of immediacy.

later on

Emphasizes a less specific delay than "some time afterwards".

following that

Directly indicates the next event in a sequence.

at a later date

Formal and specifies an unspecified future time.

subsequently

More formal and emphasizes a direct consequence or sequence.

eventually

Emphasizes that it happened after some delay or difficulty.

after a while

Indicates an indefinite period of time has passed.

in due course

Suggests the event happened at an appropriate or expected time.

in the aftermath

Specifically refers to the period following a significant event.

down the line

More colloquial and indicates a point further in the future.

FAQs

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

Use "some time afterwards" to indicate that an event occurred after a preceding event. For instance, "The meeting concluded, and "some time afterwards", we received the project approval".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "some time afterwards"?

Alternatives include "later on", "subsequently", or "after a while", each carrying slightly different connotations of formality and duration.

Is it better to say "some time afterwards" or "some time later"?

Both "some time afterwards" and "some time later" are correct, but "some time afterwards" explicitly connects the second event to a preceding one, offering a more direct sense of sequential time than "some time later".

What's the difference between "thereafter" and "some time afterwards"?

"Thereafter" is a more formal synonym for "some time afterwards", often used in legal or official documents. "Some time afterwards" is suitable for general use, while "thereafter" lends a more authoritative tone.