After that means then, next, afterwards. It moves on to the next event or step. It starts a new sentence or comes after and, and doesn't attach a full clause to itself: After that, we went home. It sounds natural in stories and in process descriptions for IELTS Writing Task 1.
How would you use after that?
Write a sentence — we'll check that the word fits the meaning and suggest what to fix.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
Sentence. After that, + sentence; clause, and after that + clause; after + subject + verb
- We checked in at the hotel at three. After that, we went straight to the beach.
- First, the documents are scanned. After that, they are sent to the client by email.
- I worked in sales for two years, and after that I moved to marketing.
What changed
First versionAfter that we finished the presentation, we went for coffee.
RevisionAfter we finished the presentation, we went for coffee.
It's tempting to use after that to mean “after the moment when”. But after that means “after this” and points back to an event already mentioned; it doesn't introduce a new one. To say “once we had finished”, after and the event are enough: After we finished. So that was removed.
Then is shorter and often links steps within one sentence: Mix the flour and eggs, then add the milk. After that marks a new stage more clearly and usually opens a sentence, followed by a comma. In Task 1, people alternate them with next and finally: the same linker in every sentence makes the text monotonous.
Your turn
We visited the castle in the morning. ___, we had lunch in a small café by the river.
Show the answer
After that — Here you need the next step: first the castle, then lunch, “after this”. That's After that. After all looks similar but means “anyway, in the end” or “because, remember”, and it doesn't show the order of events.
Describe how you usually start a working or study day: name two actions in order and link them with After that.
I usually answer urgent emails as soon as I get to the office. After that, I plan my tasks for the day.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.