When learning English, many students use the word “afterwards” to describe what happens later. It’s a useful word—but it’s often used incorrectly. In this post, we’ll explain the top mistakes learners make with “afterwards”, give examples, and show you how to use it naturally and confidently.
✅ What Does “Afterwards” Mean?
“Afterwards” means at a later time or after something else has happened.
It’s an adverb of time—just like “then,” “later,” or “eventually.”
Correct Example:
- We had lunch, and afterwards we went for a walk.
❌ 1. Using “afterwards” with a noun or clause
One of the most common mistakes is trying to use “afterwards” like a preposition.
Incorrect:
- We’ll go to the museum afterwards the lunch.
- Afterwards finishing the movie, we went home.
Why it’s wrong:
“Afterwards” is not followed by a noun, verb, or clause. It’s not like “after.”
Correct alternatives:
- We’ll go to the museum after lunch. ✅
- We went home after finishing the movie. ✅
- We watched the movie. Afterwards, we went home. ✅
❌ 2. Using “afterward” and “afterwards” interchangeably (without knowing the difference)
“Afterward” vs. “Afterwards” – which one is right?
Answer: Both are correct! The difference is mainly British vs. American English:
- Afterwards – more common in British English 🇬🇧
- Afterward – more common in American English 🇺🇸
But: You should stay consistent in your writing. Don’t mix styles.
Example:
- British: We had tea. Afterwards, we went to the cinema.
- American: We had tea. Afterward, we went to the movies.
❌ 3. Placing “afterwards” awkwardly in a sentence
“Afterwards” should usually go at the beginning or end of a sentence—not in the middle of a phrase.
Incorrect:
- We afterwards decided to cancel the trip.
Correct:
- Afterwards, we decided to cancel the trip.
- We decided to cancel the trip afterwards.
Use commas when “afterwards” is at the beginning of a sentence.
❌ 4. Overusing “afterwards” instead of natural alternatives
Many learners repeat “afterwards” too often. It’s not wrong—but it sounds unnatural in conversation.
Better options to mix things up:
- Then
- Later
- After that
- Eventually
Example:
- We visited the castle. Later, we had dinner at a small café.
- He went to the gym. After that, he took a nap.
❌ 5. Forgetting punctuation
If you start a sentence with “afterwards,” don’t forget the comma.
Incorrect:
- Afterwards we met her brother.
Correct:
- Afterwards, we met her brother.
This improves readability and flow in written English.
✍️ Final Tips for Using “Afterwards” Correctly
- Don’t follow it with a noun or verb—use it on its own.
- Be consistent: use either “afterward” (US) or “afterwards” (UK).
- Place it at the beginning or end of a sentence.
- Vary your word choice for natural conversation.
- Use commas when needed.
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