What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
afterwards
Example
We went to the movie first, and afterwards we went out for dinner. [afterwards: adverb]
Example
Afterwards, I realized I had left my phone at home. [afterwards: noun]
subsequently
Example
The company experienced financial difficulties and subsequently went bankrupt. [subsequently: adverb]
Example
She failed the exam and subsequently dropped out of school. [subsequently: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Afterwards is more commonly used in everyday language, while subsequently is more formal and less common in everyday conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between afterwards and subsequently?
Subsequently is more formal than afterwards and is often used in academic or professional writing to convey a cause-and-effect relationship between events.
