after - afterwards

◊ 'after' used as a preposition

If something happens after a particular time or event, it happens during the period that follows that time or event.

Dan came in just after midnight.

We'll hear about everything after dinner.

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You can say that someone does something after doing something else.

After completing The Open Society, I sent it to America for publication.

Frank Brown was released from prison after serving three years.

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◊ 'after' used as an adverb

You can also use after as an adverb, but only in expressions like `soon after', `shortly after', and `not long after'.

Douglas came round to see me, and soon after I met him again at a friend's.

Shortly after Fania called me.

Not long after she started dragging the go-cart down the narrow streets.

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◊ 'afterwards'

Instead of `after', you can use another adverb, afterwards. There is no difference in meaning.

She died soon afterwards.

Shortly afterwards her marriage broke up.

Her husband lost his fortune in the Wall Street crash and died not long afterwards.

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◊ 'afterward'

Afterward is also sometimes used, especially in American English.

I left soon afterward.

Shortly afterward, he made a trip from L.A. to San Jose.

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◊ WARNING

You do not use after as an adverb on its own. You do not say, for example, `I met him after'. You say `I met him afterwards' or `I met him later'.

Somebody will hear you and may repeat it afterwards.

You'd better give him a ring later.

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In standard English, you do not use after when mentioning a specific period of time. You do not say, for example, `I met him a month after'. You say `I met him a month afterwards or `I met him a month later'.

That was actually done about eight months afterwards.

I returned some three or four weeks later.

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◊ WARNING

You do not say that someone is `after' a particular age. You say that they are over that age.

She was well over fifty.

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You do not use after to say that something is at the back of something else. The word you use is behind.

There were two boys sitting behind me.

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