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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Immediately afterwards
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"immediately afterwards" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it to describe a particular event that takes place directly after one that has just previously happened. For example: "John was exhausted after his long day at work, but he had to rush to the store immediately afterwards."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Immediately afterwards, the shots began.
News & Media
Immediately afterwards we received complaints".
News & Media
But almost immediately afterwards the fight began.
News & Media
The East German regime fell immediately afterwards.
News & Media
"We'll start talk about (security) immediately afterwards.
News & Media
"We then conceded an equaliser immediately afterwards".
News & Media
Then, almost immediately afterwards, he's married.
News & Media
He left immediately afterwards in a helicopter.
News & Media
George Osborne's statement is immediately afterwards.
News & Media
Immediately afterwards she needed foot surgery.
News & Media
Immediately afterwards, it spread across the globe.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
When using "immediately afterwards", ensure the temporal relationship between the two events is clear and that there is minimal delay between them. This phrasing is most effective when highlighting cause-and-effect or a rapid sequence of actions.
⚠ Common error
Avoid using "immediately afterwards" when a significant amount of time has passed between the two events. The phrase implies a very short interval, and misusing it can confuse your reader.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "immediately afterwards" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action or event occurred in relation to a previous one. It specifies that the action happened without delay, as confirmed by Ludwig.
Expression frequency: Very common
✓ Frequent in
News & Media
48%
Science
30%
Wiki
14%
⚠ Less common in
Formal & Business
4%
Reference
2%
Encyclopedias
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "immediately afterwards" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase indicating a very short time interval between two events. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news, scientific and wiki contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, clarity and temporal accuracy are key, ensuring minimal delay between the described events. For alternative expressions, consider options like "shortly thereafter" or "directly following" to adjust the level of formality or nuance.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
shortly thereafter
Indicates a slightly less immediate sequence; emphasizes a brief time interval.
soon after that
Implies a prompt sequence, but with a slightly wider timeframe than "immediately".
directly following
More formal and emphasizes the sequential aspect of events.
in the immediate aftermath
Focuses on the consequences and circumstances directly following an event.
right on the heels of
More idiomatic and suggests a very close temporal proximity.
instantaneously afterward
Emphasizes the lack of delay between the two events.
More alternative expressions(6)
FAQs
How can I use "immediately afterwards" in a sentence?
Use "immediately afterwards" to show that something happened very soon after something else. For example, "The presentation concluded, and "immediately afterwards", the audience erupted in applause".
What are some alternatives to "immediately afterwards"?
Alternatives include "shortly thereafter", "soon after that", or "directly following", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is there a difference between "immediately afterwards" and "immediately after"?
"Immediately after" is generally used before a noun phrase, while "immediately afterwards" is used to introduce a clause. For example: "Immediately after the game, we went home" versus "The game ended, and "immediately afterwards", we went home".
Can I use "immediately afterwards" in formal writing?
Yes, "immediately afterwards" is appropriate for formal writing, as long as it accurately reflects the temporal relationship between the events being described. Consider alternatives like "directly following" for an even more formal tone.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested