Is Afterwards Formal?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The meaning of the word afterward is not changed by writing afterwards but the different spelling and pronunciation is preferred in some countries and used in a more

formal way

in others. The use of afterward is more common in North America while English speakers prefer to say afterwards.

Is it correct to say afterward or afterwards?

There’s no difference in meaning between “

afterward

” and “afterwards,” but the two are generally used in separate contexts. In American English, “afterward” is more common, whereas in British English and Canadian English, “afterwards” is.

How do you use the word afterwards?

Afterwards is an adverb. If something happens afterwards, it happens

after a particular event or time that has already been mentioned

. You often use afterwards in expressions like not long afterwards, soon afterwards, and shortly afterwards. She died soon afterwards.

What type of word is afterwards?

Afterwards is an

adverb

– Word Type.

Can I use afterward at the end of a sentence?

The scope of “afterwards” at the end of the sentence is

potentially the entire sentence

, not just the clause. E.g. it might mean: The phone is greasy because I answered it when I was holding the chicken. Afterwards, I cut the chicken and washed my hands.

What is the meaning of soon afterwards?

Soon refers to the shortness of the time interval (see Merriam Webster:soon). But to have a time interval, one thing needs to happen after another, so “soon” means “soon after”. Afterwards (or afterward)

refers to the sequence of events, regardless of the

time interval (see Oxford: afterwards).

What is the opposite of afterwards?


beforehand


earlier
in advance former early prematurely sooner ahead of time earlier on

What can I say instead of after that?

  • thenceforth.
  • consequently.
  • following.
  • forever after.
  • from that day forward.
  • from that day on.
  • from there on.
  • hereafter.

What is another word for shortly after?

not long after shortly

afterwards
soon after soon afterwards

Do you put a comma after afterwards?

Don’t write commas unless there is a clear need for them.

A comma is optional after Afterwards in 1

., although I think it would probably be used in AE. Got it, e2efour.

What does later on mean?

:

at a time in the future or following an earlier time

We’ll talk about this subject some more later on.

What does thereupon mean in English?

1 :

on that matter

. 2 : therefore. 3 : immediately after that.

How do you say not long after?


eehao

Is the phrase ‘not long later’ , ‘no long later’ or ‘not long after’ correct? ‘Not long after’ is common and native; the other two are not.

What is the difference between after and afterwards?

So while

there is technically no difference between ‘after’

as an adverb and ‘afterward’, generally most native speakers prefer ‘afterward’ or ‘afterwards’. This sounds more complete and provides the listener or reader with the idea that an adverb is being used, especially when it ends the sentence.

Which must mean the opposite of spending?

spend. Antonyms:

retain, save

, hoard, accumulate, husband, economize. Synonyms: bestow, waste, exhaust, squander, expend, lay out, consume, disburse, lavish.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.