Common Mistakes : Afterwards

Afterwards – Adverb

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DUBIOUS: We started going out together just to have fun, as friends. Afterwards we both realized that there was more than just friendship

GOOD: We started going out together just to have fun, as friends. Later on we both realized that there was more than just friendship

Afterwards suggests that the next thing happens as soon as the last thing has finished: On Saturday morning I went to see Adrian in hospital. Afterwards I drove into town to do some shopping

When there is a long interval or delay between two actions or events, use later on : I couldn’t understand why she hadn’t answered my letters. Later on I discovered that she had moved to a new address

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DUBIOUS: First you draw a long straight line. Afterwards you draw another line, parallel to the first one

GOOD: First you draw a long straight line. Then you draw another line, parallel to the first one

To introduce the next action in a process or series of actions, use then : Check that the paper is properly loaded. Then press the start button

Compare: We all had lunch together at one o’clock. Afterwards we went to the beach