31+ Other Ways to Say “After That” (110+ Examples)

We know how hard finding new words feels, sometimes. Writing the same phrase, over and over, gets boring quickly. This guide helps you find fresh options, because variety keeps your writing alive. Use these lists to fix your flow, add detail, or change the mood. I am happy to help you find the perfect way to express your thoughts.

“After That” for Casual Storytelling

Then

People use this word when telling a quick story, because it keeps things moving. It works best in short, punchy sentences. You can use it to list chores, tasks, or fun events. It sounds very friendly, and it never feels too formal or stiff. Most folks pick this word when they are talking to their best friends about their busy day, honestly.

• Then we went to the park.
• Please wash the dishes, then dry them.
• She finished her coffee, then left.
• Add the eggs, then mix well.

Next

Use this simple word to show a clear step in a process, because it keeps your readers on track. It feels very natural, and it works in almost any casual chat. You might use it when giving directions, or when explaining how to bake a cake. Everyone understands it perfectly, so you never have to worry about anyone being confused by it.

• Take a left, then turn next.
• First fold the paper, next glue.
• We ate, and next we danced.
• Read page one, next read two.

Later

Picking this word suggests a small gap in time, so it feels very relaxed. It works well when you do not need to be precise. Use it when talking about plans, or when describing something that happened in the evening. It sounds gentle, and it creates a nice, slow pace for your reader to follow along while they enjoy your story.

• We saw them later that night.
• Finish this, later you can play.
• Later, the sun began to set.
• Call me later, if you want.

Following That

Choosing this phrase sounds a bit more thoughtful, so it fits well in longer stories. It connects two events nicely, and it shows that one thing directly led to the other. You might use it when explaining a change in your plans. It feels smooth, and it keeps your reader interested in how the situation changes as you continue to talk.

• We studied, following that we slept.
• It rained, following that it snowed.
• She quit, following that she moved.
• They won, following that they cheered.

Subsequently

Choosing this sounds fancy, but it works fine if you want a formal touch. It tells your reader that one thing happened right after the first part. You could use it in a report, or when writing a letter to someone you respect. It adds a bit of weight to your words, and it helps your sentences sound very smart and well organized.

• The alarm rang, subsequently he woke.
• He failed, subsequently he felt sad.
• They met, subsequently they became friends.
• Taxes rose, subsequently prices went up.

Directly After

Pick this if you want to show that no time passed between two events. It adds a sense of speed, and it makes your story feel fast. Use it when you are talking about a big change, or a sudden event. It helps the reader see the scene clearly, and it makes your writing feel very active, exciting, and very easy to follow.

• We left directly after the bell.
• He died directly after the shock.
• She ate directly after the game.
• They ran directly after the shout.

After Which

Using this phrase makes your writing feel very connected and tidy. It helps you link a cause to an effect, so your reader understands the flow. You might use it when describing a sequence of events in a school essay. It sounds very calm, and it keeps your ideas grouped together in a way that feels very logical and quite clear.

• He spoke, after which he cried.
• They sat, after which we talked.
• It broke, after which we fixed.
• She won, after which she retired.

Soon After

Selecting this word works great if you want to show that the second event happened quickly. It adds a nice sense of rhythm, and it makes your writing feel urgent. Use it when you are telling a story about a fast turn of events. Your reader will feel the speed, and they will likely stay focused on the next part, too.

• Soon after, the lights went out.
• He called soon after the news.
• They met soon after the storm.
• She left soon after the show.

Once That Happened

Picking this phrase highlights that the first event was a trigger for the second one. It shows a strong link between the two parts of your story. Use it when you want to explain why something else took place. It feels very descriptive, and it gives your reader a better idea of how the whole situation unfolded over time, clearly.

• Once that happened, we felt safe.
• Once that happened, he stayed home.
• Once that happened, they closed up.
• Once that happened, she was glad.

“After That” for Professional Work

Thereafter

Choose this word when you want to sound very professional in a business email. It works well for reports or legal notes. It tells the reader that something will be the standard from this point on. It feels formal, and it is very common in office settings. You will sound very serious and prepared whenever you use it in your writing tasks.

• The rules changed thereafter, for all.
• He led the team thereafter, daily.
• The plan grew, thereafter we saved.
• We moved, thereafter we thrived, always.

Following This

Pick this phrase if you need to explain what comes next in a project. It keeps your instructions very simple and easy to read. Your boss will appreciate how clear your notes are, and your coworkers will finish their tasks faster. It creates a steady flow, and it helps everyone stay on the same page as the project moves ahead.

• Following this, we start the work.
• Sign here, following this, pay fees.
• Following this, read the full manual.
• We met, following this, we agreed.

As Follows

Use this when you have a list of things to explain in order. It tells your reader to pay attention to the next part. It is perfect for emails that explain steps, or for memos about new office rules. It sounds very organized, and it makes your message look tidy and very professional to everyone who reads it.

• The steps are as follows, please.
• Please note them as follows, thanks.
• Our goals are as follows, today.
• The plan is as follows, friends.

Thereafterward

Try this if you want to be very precise about time. It sounds a bit formal, but it is great for documents that need a lot of detail. You can use it when describing the history of a company, or when tracking a long project. It adds a touch of class to your writing, and it keeps your sequence very clear, always.

• The firm grew thereafterward, each year.
• He retired thereafterward, in late May.
• They hired thereafterward, for the team.
• Prices rose thereafterward, quite fast, too.

Succeeding This

Pick this phrase to show that the next thing happens right after the first part. It sounds very smart, and it is useful for reports that explain a shift in focus. It keeps your reader engaged, and it makes your point very clear. Using this phrase helps your writing feel like it has a very strong, logical, and steady build.

• Succeeding this, we focus on sales.
• Succeeding this, we check the files.
• Succeeding this, the goal is clear.
• Succeeding this, we talk to staff.

Subsequent to This

Select this to be very formal in your writing. It works well when you are writing a contract, or a formal note to a client. It sounds serious, and it shows that you have spent time thinking about the order of things. It keeps your writing clean, and it helps your readers understand exactly when things will occur, easily.

• Subsequent to this, we review data.
• Subsequent to this, please pay now.
• Subsequent to this, we need sign.
• Subsequent to this, we start fresh.

Consequently

Use this when you want to show that the second event is the result of the first. It sounds very professional, and it helps you explain why a decision was made. It creates a strong link between your ideas. Your boss will love how clearly you connect the facts, and it makes your writing look very well thought out, always.

• He missed, consequently he lost gold.
• It rained, consequently we stayed in.
• They lied, consequently they lost jobs.
• We failed, consequently we learned more.

“After That” for Academic Essays

Subsequently

Choosing this word helps your essay flow well between different points. It sounds academic, and it shows your teacher that you have a good range of words. It works best when describing a series of events in history or science. Use it to keep your paragraphs connected and smooth, so your reader can follow your argument without any stops or confusion.

• Subsequently, the king moved his base.
• Subsequently, the test showed new data.
• Subsequently, the cells began to grow.
• Subsequently, the law changed for all.

Thereafter

Pick this word to describe what happened after a specific moment in history. It fits perfectly in long stories about people or places. It sounds formal and very respectful of the timeline. Use it when you are writing about events that happened over many years. It keeps your timeline clear, and it makes your essay sound very deep and quite smart.

• Thereafter, the town became a port.
• Thereafter, he kept a low profile.
• Thereafter, the climate turned very cold.
• Thereafter, they lived in the west.

Following Which

Try this phrase to link a sentence to the one before it. It acts like a bridge, and it makes your writing feel very sophisticated. Use it when explaining the result of an experiment or a social change. It makes your work sound like it was written by a pro. Your teacher will definitely notice the effort you put into your writing.

• We added salt, following which it boiled.
• He spoke, following which they left.
• They voted, following which laws passed.
• It grew, following which it died.

Ensuing

Use this word when you want to talk about something that happens right after a big event. It feels very descriptive, and it adds drama to your writing. It works great for history essays, or for stories about changes in society. It helps your reader picture the result, and it makes your writing sound very strong, urgent, and quite bold, indeed.

• The ensuing war lasted ten years.
• Ensuing chaos broke the city lines.
• The ensuing talk fixed the fight.
• Ensuing silence filled the empty room.

In the Aftermath

Select this phrase to talk about the results of a hard or sad event. It sounds very heavy and serious. Use it when you are writing about natural disasters or big historical mistakes. It makes your essay feel very grounded, and it helps the reader understand the true weight of what happened after the event. It is a very powerful, moving, and descriptive tool.

• In the aftermath, they rebuilt homes.
• In the aftermath, we found peace.
• In the aftermath, he sought work.
• In the aftermath, the truth came.

Following That Event

Pick this if you want to be very clear about when something occurred. It leaves no room for doubt, and it keeps your timeline easy to follow. It sounds very plain and direct, which is perfect for essays where you need to be precise. You will find that this phrase works well in many types of academic writing, from science to history.

• Following that event, the site closed.
• Following that event, he went away.
• Following that event, we felt good.
• Following that event, they all ran.

Subsequently to That

Choose this for a formal way to show the order of your points. It helps you keep your argument organized, and it shows that you know your timeline well. It sounds very precise, and it works great in long papers. Use it when you need to make sure your reader follows the logic of your points from start to finish, clearly.

• Subsequently to that, we saw growth.
• Subsequently to that, they were free.
• Subsequently to that, he had fame.
• Subsequently to that, all was calm.

Thereafter in Time

Try this to talk about how things changed as the years went by. It sounds poetic, and it is great for essays about culture or art history. It creates a sense of moving through the years, which helps your reader stay engaged with your long story. It is a lovely way to add a bit of flow to your academic work.

• Thereafter in time, the art changed.
• Thereafter in time, we saw new.
• Thereafter in time, he grew old.
• Thereafter in time, they all left.

Following This Sequence

Pick this to explain a list of steps in a process. It is very helpful for science or math essays. It tells your reader to pay attention to the order of the steps. It sounds very organized, and it shows that you have a plan for your work. You will feel much more confident when your steps are laid out so clearly.

• Following this sequence, you get oil.
• Following this sequence, we find x.
• Following this sequence, it works out.
• Following this sequence, we win big.

And Then

Use this simple phrase when you want to keep things basic in your essay. Sometimes, the best way to say something is the simplest way. It sounds very natural, and it does not distract the reader from your big ideas. It is perfect for shorter essays where you just need to move from point to point as quickly as you can, easily.

• And then, the system shut down.
• And then, we started the test.
• And then, he wrote the book.
• And then, she saw the truth.

“After That” for Daily Chats

Next

This is the word you use most often when talking to friends. It is quick, and it gets the job done. You might use it when you are telling them about your morning routine, or when you are planning a fun trip for the weekend. It is the best way to keep your conversation moving along at a very fast pace, honestly.

• We ate, next we watched films.
• Walk, next run, next you jump.
• Add milk, next add the flour.
• Go home, next start the tea.

Right After

Choose this if you want to show that you are in a big hurry. It feels very urgent, and it shows that you are excited to move to the next thing. You can use it when telling your friend about a busy day at work. It makes your story sound fun, and it keeps them listening to everything you have to say.

• Right after, I took a nap.
• We left right after the song.
• Call me right after the news.
• I sleep right after the shift.

Then

Use this to keep your story going without any fuss. It is the most common word for a reason, because it works everywhere. You can use it when explaining a game, or when telling a funny story about your pet. It is always a safe, solid choice, and it will never sound out of place when you are talking casually, ever.

• Then we went to the beach.
• Buy this, then you are done.
• He ran, then he hit a wall.
• Eat, then you can go out.

Afterwards

Pick this word to describe the time that follows an event. It sounds a bit more descriptive than just saying “then.” You can use it when talking about plans for the evening, like dinner or a movie. It feels very natural, and it creates a nice, relaxed vibe for your friendly conversations. Your friends will understand exactly what you mean, always.

• We went for drinks afterwards.
• I will clean the house afterwards.
• Afterwards, we can go see them.
• He left, but came back afterwards.

Following That

Try this when you want to sound a little bit more polite or thoughtful. It is a nice way to change up your language, so you do not sound like a robot. It works well when you are telling someone about a sequence of events, like a day trip or a party. It keeps your story clear, and it sounds very friendly.

• Following that, we had some cake.
• We sang, following that we ate.
• It ended, following that we left.
• I ran, following that I rested.

Since Then

Use this to talk about how things have changed over a long time. It is great for catching up with old friends. You might say it when talking about your new job or your new house. It helps you frame your life story, and it shows that you are happy to share your progress with the people who matter most, truly.

• Since then, I have been happy.
• He has moved, since then, away.
• Since then, we have not talked.
• Life is better, since then, really.

Summary Table

Final Thoughts

I hope this list helps you write better and faster. You now have many ways to show time passing in your stories or reports. Pick the ones that sound most natural to you. Keep practicing, and your writing will definitely shine. Good luck with all your future work, my friend.