Useful options include shortly after, soon afterward, not long after, and shortly thereafter. The best choice depends on context: phrases for events that follow another event after a short interval.
Choose the Phrase by How Quickly It Happened
- Shortly after
- Soon afterward
- Not long after
- Shortly thereafter
- Moments later
- A little later
- Soon following
- In the immediate aftermath
- Before long
- Within a short time
- Soon thereafter
- Shortly following
- In quick succession
- In the wake of
- Directly afterward
Shortly after
“Shortly after” is the closest neutral alternative and works in most narrative or analytical writing.
Example: Shortly after, the second announcement was released.
Soon afterward
“Soon afterward” is similar in meaning and slightly smoother when the sentence already ends with “after”.
Example: Soon afterward, the second announcement was released.
Not long after
“Not long after” is plain and emphasizes that little time passed.
Example: Not long after, the second announcement was released.
Shortly thereafter
“Shortly thereafter” is more formal and common in written narratives or reports.
Example: Shortly thereafter, the second announcement was released.
Moments later
“Moments later” fits events separated by only a very short interval.
Example: Moments later, the second announcement was released.
A little later
“A little later” is informal and intentionally vague about the exact interval.
Example: A little later, the second announcement was released.
Soon following
“Soon following” is grammatical but less idiomatic than “shortly after” in many contexts.
Example: Soon following, the second announcement was released.
In the immediate aftermath
“In the immediate aftermath” is formal and best when describing consequences immediately after a major event.
Example: In the immediate aftermath, the second announcement was released.
Before long
“Before long” suggests something happened after a short but unspecified interval.
Example: Before long, the second announcement was released.
Within a short time
“Within a short time” is neutral and useful when the exact duration is unimportant.
Example: Within a short time, the second announcement was released.
Soon thereafter
“Soon thereafter” is formal and close to “shortly thereafter”.
Example: Soon thereafter, the second announcement was released.
Shortly following
“Shortly following” is formal wording for something occurring soon after a previous event.
Example: Shortly following, the second announcement was released.
In quick succession
“In quick succession” emphasizes several events following one another rapidly.
Example: In quick succession, the second announcement was released.
In the wake of
“In the wake of” is best when the later event is a consequence of a significant preceding event.
Example: In the wake of, the second announcement was released.
Directly afterward
“Directly afterward” suggests almost immediate sequence and is more precise than “soon after”.
Example: Directly afterward, the second announcement was released.