Afterward vs. Afterword: What's the Difference?
The words afterward and afterword are often confused due to their similar spellings and pronunciations, but they serve entirely different functions in writing and speech. Afterward refers to a time later than a point already mentioned, indicating subsequent events or the subsequent part of a period of time. On the other hand, afterword is a specific term used in publishing to describe a concluding section at the end of a book, typically written by someone other than the main author, offering additional insights or comments on the text.
How do you use the word afterward in a sentence?
The adverb afterward is used to indicate that something happens following a certain event or time. It implies a sequence of events and is often seen at the end of a series of statements to denote what happens next or in the future relative to the actions described.
Examples of afterward in a sentence
- We went out for dinner and afterward, decided to take a stroll by the river.
- The lecture was enlightening; afterward, I felt inspired to learn more about the subject.
- She called to discuss the business plan and said she would email the details afterward.
How do you use the word afterword in a sentence?
An afterword is a short piece of writing found at the end of a book, often used to bring closure, give final insights, or comment on the story. It serves as a reflective commentary and is typically authored by someone other than the writer, such as an expert in the field or a critic offering their perspective on the work's significance.
Examples of afterword in a sentence
- The afterword to the novel provided interesting historical context that enriched my understanding of the story.
- In her afterword, the editor reflected on the book's journey from manuscript to publication.
- Famous for his research in the field, the professor was asked to write an afterword for the new edition of the textbook.
Afterward and afterword definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation
Afterward definition:
Afterward, an adverb, means at a later or subsequent time; subsequently.
Afterward parts of speech:
Afterward pronunciation:
Afterward is pronounced as /ˈɑːf.tə.wərd/ or /ˈæf.tə.wərd/.
Afterword definition:
Afterword, a noun, is a conclusion or comment added to the end of a book or composition usually by someone other than the main author.
Afterword parts of speech:
Afterword pronunciation:
Afterword is pronounced as /ˈæf.tər.wɜːrd/ or /ˈæf.tə.wɜrd/.
Afterward, an adverb, means at a later or subsequent time; subsequently.
Afterward parts of speech:
- As an adverb: I had never sailed before, but afterward, I fell in love with the ocean.
Afterward pronunciation:
Afterward is pronounced as /ˈɑːf.tə.wərd/ or /ˈæf.tə.wərd/.
Afterword definition:
Afterword, a noun, is a conclusion or comment added to the end of a book or composition usually by someone other than the main author.
Afterword parts of speech:
- As a noun: The book's afterword was a poignant reflection on the themes of the narrative.
Afterword pronunciation:
Afterword is pronounced as /ˈæf.tər.wɜːrd/ or /ˈæf.tə.wɜrd/.
Afterward vs. afterword in a nutshell
To summarize, afterward is an adverb used to describe an action that occurs later in time, while afterword is a noun that refers to a concluding section at the end of a book. They are not interchangeable, as afterward relates to time sequences in various contexts, and afterword is a term specific to literary works. Remembering this distinction will help you use these terms accurately in your writing and discussions about books.
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