What is afterwards? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use "afterwards" in English. It's a versatile word, but it can be tricky for learners. Here's a detailed explanation with examples:

1. Basic Meaning: Following in Time

• Most Common Usage: "Afterwards" means "later" or "following a certain time or event." It indicates something happens after something else.

  • Example: "We had lunch, and afterwards, we went for a walk." (The walk happened after lunch.)
  • Example: "She finished her report, and afterwards, she took a break."

2. Formal & Slightly More Literary:

• More formal and often a bit more literary than "later." It often implies a noticeable delay. It suggests a gap between the events.

  • Example: “Afterwards, the committee met to discuss the proposal.” (This sounds more polished than "later the committee...")
  • Example: “Afterwards, he went to bed.” (A simple, straightforward statement of fact.)

3. Using "Afterwards" with 'Then'

• Often used with 'then' to emphasize the sequence: This combination is common and creates a clear timeline.

  • Example: "First, I prepared dinner, then afterwards, I cleaned up the kitchen."
  • Example: “He finished his work, then afterwards he relaxed.”

4. Referring to a Place (Less Common)

• Occasionally, "afterwards" can refer to a place that’s accessed after a previous location. This usage is less frequent but important to recognize.

  • Example: "We’ll drop you at the station, and afterwards, you can go to your hotel." (The hotel is the next place, visited after the station.)
  • Example: "We explored the museum, and afterwards we visited the cafe."

5. Important Points and Considerations:

• Pronunciation: It's pronounced /ˈæftərwɜːrdz/ (AF-ter-wards). The 'r' is pronounced, but lightly.

• Contrast with "Later": "Later" is more casual and less emphatic about the timing. "Afterwards" implies a more distinct separation and sometimes a bit more formality.

• "Then" vs. "Afterwards": While often interchangeable, “then” often implies a more immediate sequence of events. "Afterwards" suggests a bit more space between the actions.

• Don’t Use with Short Time Intervals: Avoid using "afterwards" when referring to very short durations. "Later" or "soon" is better for things that happen almost immediately. ("I’ll call you later" is fine; "I’ll call you afterwards" sounds odd.)

Here’s a table summarizing the key uses:

Usage	Meaning	Example	Formality
Time Sequence	Later, following	"Afterwards, we went shopping."	Neutral
Formal Timing	Later, following	“Afterwards, the team decided on a plan.”	Formal
With 'Then'	Later, following	"First, I studied, then afterwards I played."	Neutral
Place (Rare)	Next location	“Afterwards, we’ll head to the park.”	Neutral

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