After vs. Thereafter — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 13, 2024
"After" indicates any time following an event, used broadly in context; "thereafter" specifically refers to a sequence of events, emphasizing a direct continuation.
Difference Between After and Thereafter
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Key Differences
"After" is a versatile preposition or conjunction used to describe something occurring subsequent to a specific time or event. On the other hand, "thereafter" is an adverb focusing more precisely on following up an event in a chronological sequence, often used in more formal or legal contexts.
In usage, "after" can initiate a phrase or clause, linking actions or times with flexibility. Whereas "thereafter" typically appears in more structured narratives or written documents to denote a strict sequence following an initial event.
For daily conversation, "after" is much more commonly employed due to its general nature and easier syntax. Meanwhile, "thereafter" might be reserved for written reports, legal documents, or formal speeches, highlighting its formal tone.
In terms of placement within a sentence, "after" can be more flexible, appearing at the beginning or in the middle of sentences. In contrast, "thereafter" usually follows the main clause or is used at the start of a new sentence to continue a previously established timeline.
The implications of "after" can be immediate or long-term without specific constraints, reflecting its broad application. Conversely, "thereafter" implies a direct continuation and often a close temporal relationship to the preceding events.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Preposition, Conjunction
Adverb
Usage Context
General, both spoken and written
Formal, primarily in written texts
Placement
Flexible, in various sentence parts
Typically follows a main clause or starts a sentence
Implication
General time sequence
Specific and direct continuation
Commonness
Very common in everyday language
Less common, formal or legal use
Compare with Definitions
After
Behind in place; indicates something following another.
After you, please.
Thereafter
Continuously from that point on in time.
They moved to a new city and lived there thereafter.
After
Considering (someone or something).
After all that happened, he was forgiving.
Thereafter
Immediately following that time.
The contract was signed and thereafter enforced.
After
In pursuit or search of.
She is after a new job.
Thereafter
In every case following a mentioned case.
The initial trial was a success, and thereafter, the procedure was adopted universally.
After
In the time following (an event or another period of time)
After a while he returned
He'd gone out with his secretary for an after-work drink
Shortly after their marriage they moved to Colorado
Thereafter
At any time subsequent to a specified time.
The law was changed in 1990, and thereafter, it affected all new buildings.
After
Behind
She went out, shutting the door after her
Thereafter
After that event in narrative sequences.
He graduated in June, and thereafter started his own business.
After
In pursuit or quest of
Chasing after something you can't have
Thereafter
From a specified time onward; from then on.
After
Next to and following in order or importance
In their order of priorities health comes after housing
Thereafter
After that, from then on; thenceforth.
He left; thereafter we never met again.
After
In allusion to (someone or something with the same or a related name)
They named her Pauline, after Barbara's mother
Thereafter
After that; afterward.
After
During the period of time following (an event)
Duke Frederick died soon after
Bath time ended in a flood after the taps were left running
Thereafter
According to that; accordingly.
I deny not but that it is of greatest concernment in the church and commonwealth to have a vigilant eye how books demean themselves as well as men; and thereafter to confine, imprison, and do sharpest justice on them as malefactors.
After
During the period of time following (an event)
Duke Frederick died soon after
Bath time ended in a flood after the taps were left running
Thereafter
Of that sort.
After
Later
He was sorry in after years
Thereafter
From that time on;
Thereafter he never called again
After
Nearer the stern of a ship
The after cabin
After
Behind in place or order
Z comes after Y in the alphabet.
After
Next to or lower than in order or importance.
After
In quest or pursuit of
Seek after fame.
Go after big money.
After
Concerning
Asked after you.
After
Subsequent in time to; at a later time than
Come after dinner.
After
Subsequent to and because of or regardless of
They are still friends after all their differences.
After
Following continually
Year after year.
After
In the style of or in imitation of
Satires after Horace.
After
With the same or close to the same name as; in honor or commemoration of
Named after her mother.
After
According to the nature or desires of; in conformity to
A tenor after my own heart.
After
Past the hour of
Five minutes after three.
After
(Irish) Used with a present participle to indicate action that has just been completed
"Sure I'm after seeing him not five minutes ago" (James Joyce).
After
Behind; in the rear.
After
At a later or subsequent time; afterward
Three hours after.
Departed shortly after.
After
Subsequent in time or place; later; following
In after years.
After
Located near the stern of a vessel or the rear or an aircraft or spacecraft.
After
Following or subsequent to the time that
I saw them after I arrived.
After
Afternoon.
After
Afters Chiefly British Dessert.
After
Behind; later in time; following.
I left the room, and the dog bounded after.
They lived happily ever after.
I might come next month, or the month after.
After
Subsequently to; following in time; later than.
We had a few beers after the game.
The time is quarter after eight.
The Cold War began shortly after WWII.
After you with the salt/paper.
I told her to shut the door after her.
After
Behind.
He will leave a trail of destruction after him.
After
In pursuit of, seeking.
He's after a job; run after him; inquire after her health.
After
In allusion to, in imitation of; following or referencing.
We named him after his grandfather; a painting after Leonardo da Vinci.
After
Next in importance or rank.
The princess is next in line to the throne after the prince.
After
As a result of.
After your bad behaviour, you will be punished.
After
In spite of.
After all that has happened, he is still my friend.
I can't believe that, after all our advice against gambling, you walked into that casino!
After
Used to indicate recent completion of an activity
I was after finishing my dinner when there was a knock on the door.
After
(dated) According to an author or text.
After
Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to.
To look after workmen; to enquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness
After
(obsolete) According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting.
After
Signifies that the action of the clause it starts takes place before the action of the other clause.
I went home after we had decided to call it a day.
After
(dated) Later; second (of two); next, following, subsequent
After
At or towards the stern of a ship.
The after gun is mounted aft.
The after gun is abaft the forward gun.
After
Next; later in time; subsequent; succeeding; as, an after period of life.
After
Hinder; nearer the rear.
After
Behind in place; as, men in line one after another.
After
Below in rank; next to in order.
Codrus after Ph bus sings the best.
After
Later in time; subsequent; as, after supper, after three days. It often precedes a clause. Formerly that was interposed between it and the clause.
After I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
After
Subsequent to and in consequence of; as, after what you have said, I shall be careful.
After
Subsequent to and notwithstanding; as, after all our advice, you took that course.
After
Moving toward from behind; following, in search of; in pursuit of.
Ye shall not go after other gods.
After whom is the king of Israel come out?
After
Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to; as, to look after workmen; to inquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness.
After
In imitation of; in conformity with; after the manner of; as, to make a thing after a model; a picture after Rubens; the boy takes after his father.
Our eldest son was named George after his uncle.
After
According to; in accordance with; in conformity with the nature of; as, he acted after his kind.
He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes.
They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.
After
According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting.
He takes greatness of kingdoms according to bulk and currency, and not after their intrinsic value.
After
Subsequently in time or place; behind; afterward; as, he follows after.
It was about the space of three hours after.
After
Located farther aft
After
Happening at a time subsequent to a reference time;
He apologized subsequently
He's going to the store but he'll be back here later
It didn't happen until afterward
Two hours after that
After
Behind or in the rear;
And Jill came tumbling after
After
Following in time; as in subsequent to an event.
After the meeting, we went for lunch.
After
In the style of, or in imitation of.
He named his son after his grandfather.
Common Curiosities
What does "after" mean?
"After" is used to indicate a sequence where one event or time follows another.
What are typical contexts for using "after"?
"After" is widely used in both spoken and written English across a variety of contexts due to its flexibility.
What type of text is "thereafter" most suitable for?
"Thereafter" is most suitable for formal texts, legal documents, and academic writing where precise chronological order is important.
Is "thereafter" common in everyday conversation?
No, "thereafter" is less common in everyday speech and more typical in formal writing.
How is "thereafter" used differently from "after"?
"Thereafter" specifically refers to continuing sequences directly following an event, used more formally.
Can "after" and "thereafter" be used interchangeably?
They are not typically interchangeable due to "thereafter"'s more formal and precise context.
Does "after" have multiple functions in English grammar?
Yes, "after" functions as a preposition, conjunction, and less commonly as an adverb, offering a broad range of uses in constructing sentences.
Why might someone choose to use "thereafter" instead of "after"?
Someone might choose "thereafter" to emphasize a formal tone or to clearly denote a sequence of events with precision in a formal document or narrative.
Can "thereafter" start a sentence?
Yes, "thereafter" can start a sentence, especially when continuing a discussion of events in chronological order from what was previously mentioned.
How does the usage of "after" differ in informal settings compared to "thereafter"?
In informal settings, "after" is used more flexibly and commonly, fitting naturally into everyday conversation, while "thereafter" might sound overly formal or stilted.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
