soon after that

USAGE SUMMARY

"soon after that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when describing a sequence of events or actions that are happening in close proximity to each other. For example: "We ate dinner, and soon after that, we watched a movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He resigned soon after that.

The New York Times

She cries again soon after that.

The New Yorker

Silcox had to leave soon after that.

The New Yorker

The collapse started soon after that.

The New York Times

He disappeared soon after that.

The New York Times

She left the country soon after that.

The Washington Post

Soon after that came McCaffery's suspension.

The Washington Post

Wells was contacted soon after that.

The New Yorker

I left quite soon after that.

The Guardian - Opinion

A verdict is possible soon after that.

The New York Times - Sports

The technical fouls came soon after that.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "soon after that" to clearly establish a chronological sequence between two events, ensuring that the time interval is perceived as brief. It's more effective when the connection between the events is relevant to the narrative or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "soon after that" if you don't want to imply a causal relationship when there isn't one. Sometimes, events happening in close succession don't necessarily mean the first event caused the second. Be specific about the connection if there is one, or use a more neutral phrase if there is none.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "soon after that" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurred in relation to a previous event. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "soon after that" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a temporal relationship between events, indicating a short time interval. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across a variety of contexts, although it is most frequently found in News & Media. To maintain clarity and precision in writing, it's useful to be aware of potential alternatives such as "shortly thereafter" or "immediately following", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shortly thereafter

Replaces "soon after that" with a more formal adverb indicating immediate succession.

immediately following that

Emphasizes the direct and immediate sequence of events after a specific point.

directly after that

Indicates that something happens in the immediate aftermath of a previous event.

in the immediate aftermath

Highlights the period directly following a significant event, suggesting a consequence or reaction.

quickly following that

Similar to "soon after that", but emphasizing the speed with which the subsequent event occurs.

in short order

Suggests that something is completed or happens rapidly after a preceding event.

before long

Indicates that something will happen or become evident relatively quickly after a certain point.

on the heels of that

Figuratively describes something closely following an earlier event, often emphasizing the rapid succession.

in rapid succession

Highlights that events occur one immediately after the other, with little or no time in between.

in due course

This phrase is less immediate than "soon after that" and suggests events will unfold naturally and appropriately in time.

FAQs

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

You can use "soon after that" to indicate that one event occurred shortly after another. For example, "The meeting ended, and "soon after that", we went for lunch".

What's the difference between "soon after that" and "immediately afterwards"?

"Immediately afterwards" implies a more direct and instantaneous succession, whereas ""soon after that"" allows for a slightly longer, though still brief, interval.

Are there any formal alternatives to "soon after that"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "shortly thereafter" or "subsequently", which are suitable for academic or professional writing.

Can I use "soon after that" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with ""soon after that"" might sound slightly informal. It's often better to rephrase for smoother flow, like "Shortly after that, ..." or "Following that, ...".