Cool MateAfterward vs Then
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Afterward
Top 2,000 (common)B1
Then
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
Most common: Then
| Afterward | Then | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɑːftəwəd//🇺🇸 //ˈæftərwərd// | 🇬🇧 /["/ðen/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ðen/"]/ |
| Meaning | At a later time; after something else has happened. | At that time; next in order. |
| Example | We went to dinner, and afterward, we watched a movie. | I finished my homework, and then I went outside to play. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | see afterward, discuss afterward, meet afterward | then and there, back then, if... then, then again, more then |
| Antonyms | beforehand, previously | before, previously |
| Common mistakes | Often confused with 'afterwards', but 'afterward' is the American English spelling., Sometimes used incorrectly at the beginning of sentences. | Confused with 'than' when comparing things., Used incorrectly at the beginning of a sentence without a connecting clause., Mixing 'then' with 'than' in conversations. |
| Usage notes | Use 'afterward' for neutral contexts. Avoid in very formal writing; use 'subsequently' instead. | Used to indicate a time in the past or future. Often used in storytelling. Avoid using in formal writing; instead, use 'subsequently' or 'afterward'. |
Frequently asked questions: Afterward vs Then
What's the difference between Afterward and Then?
Afterward: At a later time; after something else has happened. Then: At that time; next in order.
Which is more common: Afterward and Then?
Then is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Afterward and Then?
Afterward is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Afterward and Then the same CEFR level?
Afterward: B1, Then: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Afterward: We went to dinner, and afterward, we watched a movie. Then: I finished my homework, and then I went outside to play.
Can I use Afterward and Then interchangeably?
Not always. Afterward and Then are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.