Cool MateAfterward vs Thereafter
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Afterward
Thereafter
| Afterward | Thereafter | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɑːftəwəd//🇺🇸 //ˈæftərwərd// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌðeərˈɑːftə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌðerˈæftər/"]/ |
| Meaning | At a later time; after something else has happened. | after that time |
| Example | We went to dinner, and afterward, we watched a movie. | She married at 17 and gave birth to her first child shortly thereafter. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | see afterward, discuss afterward, meet afterward | thereafter stated, thereafter mentioned, thereafter noted |
| Antonyms | beforehand, previously | before, prior to, previously |
| Common mistakes | Often confused with 'afterwards', but 'afterward' is the American English spelling., Sometimes used incorrectly at the beginning of sentences. | Using it incorrectly to indicate a specific time instead of a sequence., Confusing it with 'after' or 'then' in casual contexts., Placing it incorrectly in a sentence, disrupting the flow. |
| Usage notes | Use 'afterward' for neutral contexts. Avoid in very formal writing; use 'subsequently' instead. | Used primarily in writing, particularly in formal contexts such as academic papers or literature. It is less common in everyday spoken language. Avoid using it in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Afterward vs Thereafter
What's the difference between Afterward and Thereafter?
Afterward: At a later time; after something else has happened. Thereafter: after that time
Which is more formal: Afterward and Thereafter?
Thereafter is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Afterward and Thereafter?
Afterward is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Afterward and Thereafter?
Thereafter is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Afterward and Thereafter the same CEFR level?
Afterward: B1, Thereafter: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Afterward: We went to dinner, and afterward, we watched a movie. Thereafter: She married at 17 and gave birth to her first child shortly thereafter.
Can I use Afterward and Thereafter interchangeably?
Not always. Afterward and Thereafter 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.