What is the difference between afterward and subsequently?

Definitions

afterward

- Referring to an event that happened in the past, after another event.

- Describing a consequence or result of a previous action.

- Talking about something that happened later than expected or planned.

subsequently

- Referring to an event that happened after another event in a sequence.

- Describing a consequence or result of a previous action.

- Talking about something that happened later than expected or planned.

List of Similarities

• 1. Both words refer to events that happen after another event.
• 2. Both words can describe consequences or results of previous actions.
• 3. Both words can be used to indicate a sequence of events.

What is the difference?

• 1. Usage: Afterward is more commonly used in everyday language, while subsequently is more formal and often used in academic or professional contexts.
• 2. Timing: Afterward refers to an event that happened in the past, while subsequently refers to an event that happened later in a sequence.
• 3. Connotation: Afterward is neutral in tone, while subsequently can imply a cause-and-effect relationship between events.
• 4. Position: Afterward usually comes at the end of a sentence, while subsequently can be used at the beginning or middle of a sentence.

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Remember this!

Afterward and subsequently are synonyms that both refer to events that happen after another event. However, afterward is more commonly used in everyday language and has a neutral tone, while subsequently is more formal and implies a cause-and-effect relationship between events.