Words / B1

AHFT-uh-w-uh-dz/ˈɑːftəwədz/

Afterwards means later, after the event just mentioned: we ate and afterwards walked home. After is a preposition (after the exam); afterwards is an adverb and needs no object. Later is everyday. Afterward is US. Do not write “afterwards the exam” — say after the exam or afterwards, we left.

Meaning

At a later time; after the event you have just mentioned.

Examples

• “We sat the exam in the morning and compared notes afterwards.”
• “They sat the listening paper and compared answers afterwards.”
• “The vote was close; afterwards both sides claimed a moral victory.”

Good to know

Adverb: afterwards (no object). Preposition: after + noun. US: afterward. Everyday: later.

Near in meaning

later

New