Sequential Linking (Subsequently, Thereafter)

These words are called sequential linkers. They link two ideas in a sequence. A sequence is just a list of things in order. Imagine you are making a sandwich. First, you get the bread. Subsequently, you add the cheese. This shows a clear timeline. These words usually sit at the start of a sentence. They can also appear after a semicolon. They look back at the previous sentence. They say, "Hey, remember that first thing? Now, look at this second thing." They make your writing flow smoothly. Without them, sentences can feel like separate islands. With them, your sentences become a connected chain. It is like a grammar traffic light. It tells the reader to keep moving forward in time.

1. 1Using these words is like following a recipe. It is very simple once you know the steps.
2. 2Write your first complete sentence. This is Event A.
3. 3Put a period at the end of that sentence.
4. 4Start a new sentence with Subsequently or Thereafter.
5. 5Always put a comma after these words.
6. 6Write your second complete sentence. This is Event B.
7. 7Example:
8. 8The rain stopped. Subsequently, the sun came out.
9. 9He finished his degree. Thereafter, he moved to London.
10. 10You can also use a semicolon if you feel brave.
11. 11The rain stopped; subsequently, the sun came out.

When should you pull these fancy words out of your pocket? Use them in formal writing. This includes business emails and school essays. They are great for explaining a process. Imagine you are in a job interview. You are describing your past work. "I finished the project. Subsequently, our sales increased by ten percent." This sounds much better than just saying "and then." Use them in stories to show a jump in time. They are also perfect for legal documents or scientific reports. If you are describing an experiment, you might say: "The liquid turned blue. Thereafter, it began to bubble." It sounds very smart! Even native speakers use these to sound more authoritative. It shows you have a strong control of time and order.

Do not use these words with your friends. If you are texting a buddy about a movie, stay casual. If you say, "I ate pizza. Subsequently, I went to bed," your friend might think you are a robot. Avoid them in casual spoken English. Use then, next, or after that instead. Also, do not use them if the two events are not related. They must show a logical step in time. If you use them too much, your writing becomes heavy. It is like putting too much salt in a soup. One or two uses in an essay is perfect. Ten uses in one paragraph is a nightmare. Keep it balanced.

One big mistake is forgetting the comma. Always put a comma after subsequently and thereafter. It gives the reader a tiny breath. Another mistake is using them at the very start of a story. You cannot start with subsequently. Why? Because nothing has happened yet! You need an Event A before you can have an Event B. Some people also mix up the meaning. They think it means "because." It does not. It only means "after." Just because Event B happened after Event A, it does not mean Event A caused it. Finally, do not use them for things happening at the same time. For that, use meanwhile. These words are strictly for things that happen one after the other.

How do these compare to then? Then is the friendly neighbor. It is easy, short, and goes everywhere. Subsequently is the CEO of the company. It is formal and stays in the office. How about later? Later is vague. It could mean five minutes or five years. Subsequently usually implies the next logical step. What about afterwards? Afterwards is a middle ground. It is more formal than then but less formal than thereafter. Thereafter is very old-fashioned. It is often used in law. Subsequently is more common in modern business. If you are unsure, subsequently is usually the safer choice for formal writing.