"After Which" In A Sentence - Easy Explanation (+Examples) (2024)

“After which” is a language tool that allows us to make the order clearer in our writing. It would help to understand how it works and how to use it. Once you’ve figured it out, you’ll be able to write it with confidence when it counts.

How Do I Use “After Which” In A Sentence?

“After which” is a continuation of something that occurred in a sentence. We usually define a specific instance or thing that happened and then use “after which” to describe whatever event directly followed it. This helps us to establish timings.

Using a phrase like “after which” is a great way for us to explore how things happened. Sometimes, it can be hard to convey a sense of time or direction in writing. This makes it harder for readers to know what’s going on.

“After which” means that people no longer have to worry about following along. Instead, we’ve made it much clearer what we aim to get out of the situation.

Typically, you’ll see sentences like the following:

• I went to the store, after which I went back home.

While it’s not common for natives to say the above, it’s still grammatically correct. It helps us to be much more final about the order of how things happened.

If we broke down the above example, it would show that we went to the store first. After we completed whatever we wanted to do at the store, we then decided that it was time to go back home.

Examples Of How To Use “After Which” In A Sentence

Perhaps you’d benefit from checking out some of the following examples to see how it works:

1. I went to the seaside with my girlfriend, after which we decided it was best to go home again.
2. You decided it was better to see her off, after which she made it very clear that the two of you were not going to make it.
3. I needed to go to the supermarket, so I did. After which, I had to make sure that I got everything I needed.
4. I walked to the castle on the hill, after which I found a really cool rock that made it a very interesting visit.
5. I went to the hospital because of my foot, after which I had to be put in a cast, which made it much more difficult for me to play.
6. We went to Brighton together. After which, we decided to visit the local markets to see what was on offer.
7. You went with them to the fair, after which you made the foolish decision to try and steal from them, which is how you ended up here!

“After which” is always used to show how things happened. We can list them out to show that something happened before another thing. It’s a good way for writers to explain how things occurred so that readers don’t get confused.

You might also notice that we can place either a comma or period before “after which.” Whatever you choose, this does not change the fundamental idea of “after which.”

A comma is used when the sentence is still short enough to read. A period works better when the sentence would be too long, and it helps to break up the flow a little more.

Can I Sentence Start With “After Which”?

Since we started explaining it already, let’s look into starting a sentence with the phrase.

You can start a sentence with “after which.” We do this when we want the sentence to be easier to read. If “after which” was going to be included in a longer sentence, it would make it harder to read. Starting a new sentence with it would solve this problem.

Here is an example of when it might be appropriate to start a new sentence with “after which:”

• I went to the store to see what I could find to help my mother with her illness, after which I returned home to give her the medication right away.

The comma is perfectly acceptable here, but the sentence is very long. Instead, try this:

• I went to the store to see what I could find to help my mother with her illness. After which, I returned home to give her the medication right away.

Now, there are two sentences, each about the same length as the other. This helps people reading it to break things down into sections.

You might also notice that a comma was placed after “after which” when it started the sentence. This is something that happens often.

Should I Place A Comma Before Or After “After Which”?

Continuing from the previous point, it would help to know all the comma rules associated with “after which.”

“After which” should have a comma before it when it is continuing on from the previous point. This helps us to create a sense of timing or direction. A comma only comes after “after which” when we start a sentence with it instead.

Since there are no rules that specify whether a comma or period should be used, the two comma placements can work interchangeably. These examples should demonstrate how they work:

• I went to the beach, after which I went back home.
• I went to the beach. After which, I went back home.

The sentences are identical in wording but different in how they flow.

If we place a comma before “after which,” no comma comes after it. If we place a period before “after which,” a comma always comes after it.

Is It “Afterwhich” Or “After Which”?

“After which” should always be written as two words. It is a preposition and pronoun combination, which is why we keep them separated. There is never a reason to use “afterwhich” in your writing.

“After Which” – Synonyms

Finally, let’s go over some synonyms that might help you. You can use “after which” or any of the following:

• Following that
• After that
• Then
• Afterward
• Next
• As soon as that finished
• Once that happened
• Subsequently
• Consequently