afterthought

Everyday

1. Something that you think of, say or add later, after the main thing is done. tree →
2. Something added without much care, treated as less important. tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories and writing lessons: a sentence added as an afterthought comes at the end. It tells the reader that something was not planned. In everyday talk it can be a little unkind: "the little room was an afterthought". Phrases: as an afterthought, an afterthought to, no afterthought.

Examples

• As an afterthought, she grabbed her umbrella. tree →
• He added a P.S. to the letter as an afterthought. tree →
• The garden seemed like an afterthought to the builders. tree →
• "And bring a snack," Mum said as an afterthought. tree →
• Safety should never be an afterthought. tree →
• The last line of the poem was an afterthought. tree →
• The small extra room was built as an afterthought. tree →

Note

Countable: afterthoughts. Written as one word. Often in the phrase "as an afterthought". Do not confuse with "second thoughts" (changing your mind).