afterwards

Everyday

Afterwards means later, after something else has happened. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and recounts, «afterwards» is a time connective that helps put events in order: first, then, next, afterwards, finally. In maths problems, it signals the second step: «She had 12 sweets. Afterwards she ate 5» → 12 − 5. In everyday life, «Let's tidy up first and play afterwards». Phrases: «soon afterwards», «shortly afterwards», «long afterwards», «straight afterwards».

Examples

• We went swimming and afterwards had ice cream. tree →
• Wash your hands afterwards. tree →
• I didn't feel well, but afterwards I was fine. tree →
• Soon afterwards, it started to rain. tree →
• Do your homework first; you can play afterwards. tree →
• Tom had 20 stickers; afterwards he gave away 8. tree →
• They argued, but they said sorry afterwards. tree →
• Long afterwards, the children still remembered the trip. tree →
• Not long afterwards the two brothers arrived. tree →

Note

British and Australian English usually say «afterwards»; American English often says «afterward». It is an adverb, so it does not need an object: «after lunch» but «afterwards» alone. In maths problems, events after «afterwards» happen second.

In Jewish tradition

In stories and recounts, «afterwards» is a time connective that helps put events in order: first, then, next, afterwards, finally. In maths problems, it signals the second step: «She had 12 sweets. Afterwards she ate 5» → 12 − 5. In everyday life, «Let's tidy up first and play afterwards». Phrases: «soon afterwards», «shortly afterwards», «long afterwards», «straight afterwards».

Examples

• And afterwards she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah. (Torah GEN.30.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• but thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. (Torah DEU.13.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Yet one plague more will I bring upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence; when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether. (Torah EXO.11.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• Consider, and afterwards we will speak. (Writings JOB.18.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. (Writings PRO.20.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thy house. (Writings PRO.24.27, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

British and Australian English usually say «afterwards»; American English often says «afterward». It is an adverb, so it does not need an object: «after lunch» but «afterwards» alone. In maths problems, events after «afterwards» happen second.