Then, after, subsequently

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Please tell me the difference between:

then, after, subsequently - in the following sentences.

I finish working and then I go home
I finish working and after it I go home
I finish working and subsequently I go home

(I’ve created the above sentences, thus they may be false)

What I’m thinking is that ‘then’ and ‘after’ is used in every situation in life but using ‘subsequently’ by a not native speaker is rather odd and funny.

2

Hi

I would shed some light on the use of subsequent and subsequently.

Subsequent: following, later etc

1- Subsequent events proved me wrong.
2- The first and subsequent visits were kept secret.
3- He confessed to other crimes subsequent to the
bank robbery.
4- I [b]subsequently/b heard he had left the
city.
5- He was arrested and subsequently sentenced to
five years’s imprisonment.
6- The book was a success and subsequently translated
into 15 languages.

3

Hi Attila

Tom has given some good examples for how to use subsequently. I would probably not use subsequently in your third sentence. Such a simple sentence is better with simpler words.

Note: subsequently should be directly in front of the verb — see Tom’s examples 4, 5 + 6. If subsequently comes at the beginning of a sentence, you need a comma after it.

Your second sentence would be better written this way:
I finish working and go home afterwards.
I finish working and after that I go home.

Amy

4

I am sorry I clicked the submit button by mistake.

1- He shot his wife and then shot himself too.
2- He silently closed the door…and then he heard a noise.

1- He shot his wife and [b]after that/b he shot
himself, too.

I hope it helps.

Tom