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1. Definition + Rich Everyday Explanation
Subsequently (adverb) = after that; happening or coming later as a result or in sequence.
This word is all about time order. When you use “subsequently,” you’re signalling that something happened after something else you’ve already mentioned. It’s a more formal, polished way of saying “then,” “later,” or “after that.”
The word carries a sense of logical progression or consequence. While it doesn’t always mean the second event was caused by the first, there’s often an implied connection between them. If someone says “He was caught cheating and was subsequently expelled,” the expulsion clearly followed from and was caused by the cheating. But you can also use it for simple time sequence: “She worked in London and subsequently moved to Paris” — the move came later, but wasn’t necessarily caused by the London job.
You’ll encounter “subsequently” frequently in formal writing, news reports, academic papers, and legal documents. It sounds educated and precise. In casual conversation, people typically say “then,” “later,” or “after that” instead — using “subsequently” in everyday chat might sound a bit stiff or overly formal.
The related adjective is subsequent (meaning “coming after”), which you’ll see in phrases like “subsequent events,” “subsequent years,” or “in subsequent chapters.”
Examples from the street:
- “The company lost its biggest client and subsequently had to lay off staff” → after losing the client, they were forced to cut jobs
- “She studied medicine and subsequently became a surgeon” → after completing her studies, she went on to work as a surgeon
- “The error was discovered and subsequently corrected” → the mistake was found, and then it was fixed
2. Most Common Patterns
- and subsequently + verb → and then after that, something happened
- was/were subsequently + past participle → was later (done to)
- subsequently became / moved / discovered → later went on to
- subsequent + noun → (adjective form) the thing that came after
- in subsequent years / months / chapters → in the time or sections that followed
3. Phrasal Verbs
Note: There are no common phrasal verbs directly containing “subsequently” — these are related expressions:
- follow on from → happen as a continuation or result of something earlier
Example: “The reforms followed on from the problems that were subsequently identified in the report.”
- come about → happen, especially as a result of something
Example: “The changes came about after the scandal, and new policies were subsequently introduced.”
4. Example Sentences
- The contract was signed in March and subsequently amended twice before the end of the year
→ The agreement was finalised in March, and then it was changed two more times over the following months.
- He was arrested on suspicion of fraud and was subsequently released without charge
→ Police detained him thinking he’d committed a crime, but later let him go because there wasn’t enough evidence.
- The band released their first album in 2018 and subsequently became one of the biggest names in pop music
→ After putting out their debut record, they went on to achieve enormous success.
- The building was damaged in the earthquake and subsequently demolished
→ The structure was harmed during the disaster, and then it was torn down afterwards.
- She initially rejected the offer but subsequently changed her mind
→ At first she said no, but later she reconsidered and accepted.
- The policy was introduced in 2020 and subsequently revised following public criticism
→ The rule came into effect that year, and then it was updated after people complained.
- Subsequent investigations revealed that the original findings had been flawed
→ Later inquiries showed that the initial conclusions were incorrect.
- The virus spread rapidly, and subsequently the government imposed a lockdown
→ The disease expanded quickly, and as a result, authorities ordered people to stay home.
- He worked as a journalist for ten years and subsequently turned to writing novels
→ After a decade in journalism, he later switched careers to become a fiction author.
- The data was collected in January and subsequently analysed over the following months
→ The information was gathered at the start of the year, then examined during the period that followed.
5. Personal Examples
- Students who struggle with basic grammar often subsequently find advanced structures overwhelming
→ Learners who have trouble with fundamentals later discover that complex patterns feel impossible to manage.
- The lesson introduced new vocabulary, which was subsequently practised through role-play activities
→ The class presented new words first, and then students used them in speaking exercises afterwards.
6. Register: Formal
✔ Native usage tips
- “Subsequently” sounds formal and is mostly used in writing, news, and professional contexts — in casual speech, people usually say “then,” “later,” or “after that”
- Very common in news reports: “The minister resigned and was subsequently replaced by…” — journalists love this word
- Often implies a consequence or logical connection, not just random time sequence
- The adjective “subsequent” is equally useful: “in subsequent meetings,” “subsequent attempts,” “the subsequent chapter”
✔ Similar expressions / words
- Afterwards / After that → neutral and conversational; works in any register without sounding stiff
- Later → simple and informal; doesn’t carry the same sense of logical connection
- Consequently → emphasises cause and effect more strongly; “subsequently” focuses on time order, “consequently” focuses on result
