Cool MateAfterward vs Subsequently
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Afterward
Top 2,000 (common)B1
Subsequently
Top 3,000 (common)B2adverb
Most common: Afterward
| Afterward | Subsequently | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɑːftəwəd//🇺🇸 //ˈæftərwərd// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsʌbsɪkwəntli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsʌbsɪkwəntli/"]/ |
| Meaning | At a later time; after something else has happened. | After something else has happened. |
| Example | We went to dinner, and afterward, we watched a movie. | The original interview notes were subsequently lost. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | see afterward, discuss afterward, meet afterward | subsequently published, subsequently discovered, subsequently revealed |
| Antonyms | beforehand, previously | previously, beforehand, earlier, formerly |
| Common mistakes | Often confused with 'afterwards', but 'afterward' is the American English spelling., Sometimes used incorrectly at the beginning of sentences. | Confused with 'consequently' which indicates a cause-effect relationship., Using 'subsequently' at the beginning of a sentence without a previous idea., Omitting it when listing steps in a process. |
| Usage notes | Use 'afterward' for neutral contexts. Avoid in very formal writing; use 'subsequently' instead. | Use 'subsequently' to connect events in a formal or academic context. It may not fit in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Afterward vs Subsequently
What's the difference between Afterward and Subsequently?
Afterward: At a later time; after something else has happened. Subsequently: After something else has happened.
Which is more common: Afterward and Subsequently?
Afterward is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Afterward and Subsequently?
Subsequently is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Afterward and Subsequently the same CEFR level?
Afterward: B1, Subsequently: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Afterward: We went to dinner, and afterward, we watched a movie. Subsequently: The original interview notes were subsequently lost.
Can I use Afterward and Subsequently interchangeably?
Not always. Afterward and Subsequently 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.