af‧ter‧wards S2 W3 /ˈɑːftəwədz $ ˈæftərwərdz/ adverb (also afterward)
after an event or time that has already been mentioned:
Charles arrived shortly afterwards.
days/weeks etc afterwards
The experience haunted me for years afterwards.
She died not long afterwards.
Afterwards, I was asked to write a book.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

afterwards
adverb
1.
DUBIOUS: We started going out together just to have fun, as friends. Afterwards we both realized that there was more than just friendship.
GOOD: We started going out together just to have fun, as friends. Later on we both realized that there was more than just friendship.

Usage Note:
Afterwards suggests that the next thing happens as soon as the last thing has finished: 'On Saturday morning I went to see Adrian in hospital. Afterwards I drove into town to do some shopping.'
When there is a long interval or delay between two actions or events, use later on : 'I couldn't understand why she hadn't answered my letters. Later on I discovered that she had moved to a new address.'

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2.
DUBIOUS: First you draw a long straight line. Afterwards you draw another line, parallel to the first one.
GOOD: First you draw a long straight line. Then you draw another line, parallel to the first one.

Usage Note:
To introduce the next action in a process or series of actions, use then : 'Check that the paper is properly loaded. Then press the start button.'
Compare: 'We all had lunch together at one o'clock. Afterwards we went to the beach.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

after preposition after something happens, or after a period of time has passed. After is used especially when taking about the past:
We went for a walk after lunch.
After an hour, we got tired of waiting and went home.
They got married just after Christmas.
in preposition after a particular period of time. In is used especially when talking about the future, especially the next few minutes, hours, days etc:
The concert’s due to start in a few minutes.
I’ll come back in an hour.
In a few years’ time, this place will look completely different.
within preposition after less than a month, two weeks etc has passed – used especially when the time seems surprisingly short: within a month/two weeks etc:
He developed a headache at lunchtime, and within two hours he was dead.
Within two days of arriving she had managed to upset everyone.
24 hours/a year etc from now at a time 24 hours, a year etc after now:
A week from now we’ll be in Paris.
afterwards (also afterward especially American English) adverb after an event or time you have mentioned:
Jones admitted afterwards that she had been very nervous during the game.
Speaking to reporters afterward, he said the operation had been a success.
He moved to Belgium, and soon afterwards he met Angela.
later adverb some time after now or after the time you are talking about:
I’ll tell you about it later when I’m less busy.
⇒ two months/three years etc later:
James went off, and came back ten minutes later with some food.
subsequently adverb formal after something had happened in the past:
The book was published in 1954 and was subsequently translated into fifteen languages.
fashionable popular at a particular time:
fashionable clothes
It was fashionable to have red hair.
His theories were fashionable in the 1980s.
trendy informal modern and fashionable – often used in a slightly disapproving or joking way:
a trendy tie
a trendy restaurant
The area has become very trendy and a lot of artists live there.
stylish adjective fashionable and well-designed in an attractive way:
She was wearing a stylish two-piece suit.
The furniture looked very stylish and modern.
cool adjective informal fashionable – used especially when you think someone or something looks good:
Michael looked very cool in his dark jacket and sunglasses.
a cool shirt
happening [only before noun] informal adjective a happening place is fashionable and lively:
London has always been a happening place.
be in fashion verb phrase to be fashionable at a particular time:
The Sixties look is back in fashion.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

after preposition after something happens, or after a period of time has passed. After is used especially when taking about the past:
We went for a walk after lunch.
After an hour, we got tired of waiting and went home.
They got married just after Christmas.
in preposition after a particular period of time. In is used especially when talking about the future, especially the next few minutes, hours, days etc:
The concert’s due to start in a few minutes.
I’ll come back in an hour.
In a few years’ time, this place will look completely different.
within preposition after less than a month, two weeks etc has passed – used especially when the time seems surprisingly short: within a month/two weeks etc:
He developed a headache at lunchtime, and within two hours he was dead.
Within two days of arriving she had managed to upset everyone.
24 hours/a year etc from now at a time 24 hours, a year etc after now:
A week from now we’ll be in Paris.
afterwards (also afterward especially American English) adverb after an event or time you have mentioned:
Jones admitted afterwards that she had been very nervous during the game.
Speaking to reporters afterward, he said the operation had been a success.
He moved to Belgium, and soon afterwards he met Angela.
later adverb some time after now or after the time you are talking about:
I’ll tell you about it later when I’m less busy.
⇒ two months/three years etc later:
James went off, and came back ten minutes later with some food.
subsequently adverb formal after something had happened in the past:
The book was published in 1954 and was subsequently translated into fifteen languages.
following happening or coming immediately after something – used about periods of time, or parts of a piece of writing:
He resigned the following year.
The following day he was back to normal.
Gandhi 's attitude to religion is dealt with in the following chapter.
future likely to happen or exist at some time in the future:
What influence will this have on future developments?
subsequent formal happening or coming at some time after something else:
a subsequent decision by the Supreme Court
Subsequent events proved him wrong.
In subsequent years, the number of patients became smaller and smaller.
succeeding coming after someone or something else - used about a series of groups of people, periods of time, or parts of a book:
His work was admired by succeeding generations.
Over the succeeding months, the stitches were carefully removed.
These problems are further discussed in the succeeding chapters.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲