thereafter
gb/ðɛɹˈæftɚ/ us/ðɛɹˈæftɚ/
C1
English
~ 9800
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
relation
1
After that time or event
After that time or event, and from then on.
Usage pattern:
[clause]; thereafter, [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write it as two words (*there after*), which is incorrect; it is always one word. Another common mistake is confusing "thereafter" with "therefore" or "thereby"; "thereafter" refers only to time (after that), not to reason or method. In informal speech and writing, learners may overuse "thereafter" where "after that" or "then" would sound more natural.
Synonyms
afterwards (More common and less formal; often used in everyday speech.)
|
after that (Very common and neutral, but two words instead of one formal adverb.)
|
from then on (Stresses a continuous state or action starting at that time.)
Antonyms
beforehand (Refers to a time before a mentioned event, the opposite direction in time.)
|
previously (Means at an earlier time than the one mentioned, opposite to ‘after that’.)
Collocations
soon thereafter
|shortly thereafter
|immediately thereafter
|and thereafter
|for years thereafter
|for a time thereafter
Themes
time
|formal_writing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was arrested in 2015 and was thereafter banned from holding public office.
- The company merged with its rival and thereafter focused on international expansion.
- The first chapter explains the theory; thereafter, the book provides practical examples.
- Interest will accrue at 5% per annum for the first year and at 7% per annum thereafter.
- She moved to Berlin in 2010 and lived there permanently thereafter.
Learner examples
- He finished school in 2018 and worked in his family shop thereafter.
- The road was closed after the storm and remained empty thereafter.
- You will pay half the price this year and the full price thereafter.
- The team lost the first game and played very carefully thereafter.
- We met at university and stayed close friends thereafter.
Grammar
Dictionary form
thereafter
IPA
GB/ðɛɹˈæftɚ/
US/ðɛɹˈæftɚ/
Syllables & stress
there - after (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (after)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: thereafter
- Plural: thereafters
Word family
Forms
thereafters
noun
Core family
after
preposition A1
afterwards
adverb A2
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.