Are you confused about when to use “after” and “thereon” in your writing? Look no further! In this article, we’ll explore the proper usage of these two words and their definitions.
It’s important to note that both “after” and “thereon” are proper words in the English language. However, they have different meanings and should be used in the appropriate context.
“After” is a preposition that indicates a time or event that occurs following another time or event. For example, “After I finish my work, I will go for a walk.” In this sentence, “after” is used to indicate that the walk will occur following the completion of work.
“Thereon”, on the other hand, is an adverb that means “on or following that thing or event”. For example, “He signed the contract and thereon became the owner of the property.” In this sentence, “thereon” is used to indicate that the ownership occurred following the signing of the contract.
It’s important to use these words correctly in your writing to avoid confusion and ensure clarity for your readers. In the rest of this article, we’ll explore some common mistakes and provide examples of proper usage.
Define After
After is a preposition that refers to something happening later than a particular event or time. It indicates a sequence of events where the first event occurs before the second. After can also be used as an adverb to describe the time that follows an event or action.
For example:
- After the rain stopped, the sun came out.
- I will call you after I finish my work.
- He felt dizzy after drinking too much alcohol.
Define Thereon
Thereon is an adverb that refers to something that happens or exists on or immediately after a particular thing or event. It is used to indicate a close relationship between two events or things.
For example:
- He signed the contract and thereon became the owner of the property.
- The company announced a new policy and thereon received a lot of criticism from its employees.
- She won the competition and thereon became a famous singer.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
As a writer, it is important to have a strong grasp of the English language and its nuances. One common area of confusion is knowing when to use “after” and “thereon” in a sentence. In this section, we will explore the proper usage of these words.
How To Use “After” In A Sentence
The word “after” is often used to indicate a sequence of events. It can be used as a preposition or a conjunction. When used as a preposition, “after” is followed by a noun or pronoun to indicate that the action takes place at a later time than the one mentioned. For example:
- After dinner, we went for a walk.
- She always takes a nap after lunch.
When used as a conjunction, “after” is used to connect two clauses or sentences. It indicates that the second action takes place at a later time than the first. For example:
- After we finish our work, we can go to the movies.
- She went to bed early after she finished her homework.
How To Use “Thereon” In A Sentence
The word “thereon” is less commonly used than “after” and has a more formal tone. It is an adverb that means “on that or it.” It is often used in legal or technical writing to refer to a specific point or topic mentioned earlier in the text. For example:
- The contract outlines the terms of payment and the penalties for failure to comply. Thereon, the parties agree to abide by the terms set forth in this agreement.
- The report discusses the findings of the study and thereon draws conclusions about the effectiveness of the treatment.
It is important to note that “thereon” should be used sparingly and only in appropriate contexts, as it can come across as overly formal or archaic in everyday writing.
More Examples Of After & Thereon Used In Sentences
Understanding the proper usage of words is crucial for effective communication. The words ‘after’ and ‘thereon’ are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. In this section, we will explore more examples of how these words can be used in sentences.
Examples Of Using ‘After’ In A Sentence
- After I finish my work, I will go for a walk.
- The party will start after the guests arrive.
- After the storm, the streets were flooded.
- She always feels tired after a long day at work.
- After the concert, we went out for dinner.
- He was arrested after stealing a car.
- After the movie, we decided to get ice cream.
- The sun came out after the rain stopped.
- After the surgery, the patient was in a lot of pain.
- She always brushes her teeth after eating.
Examples Of Using ‘Thereon’ In A Sentence
- He signed the contract and thereon became the owner of the property.
- The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff and thereon the defendant had to pay the damages.
- She won the competition and thereon became a champion.
- The company introduced a new product and thereon sales increased significantly.
- He passed the exam and thereon was accepted into the program.
- The team scored the winning goal and thereon advanced to the finals.
- She received the award and thereon was recognized for her achievements.
- The artist released a new album and thereon gained a large following.
- The company implemented new policies and thereon saw an improvement in employee satisfaction.
- He made a mistake and thereon had to apologize for his actions.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words ‘after’ and ‘thereon’, it is common for people to interchangeably use them without realizing the difference in their meanings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Mistake 1: Using ‘After’ Instead Of ‘Thereon’
One common mistake is to use ‘after’ when ‘thereon’ should be used instead. For example, instead of saying “She read the book and after she watched the movie”, it should be “She read the book and thereon watched the movie”. The word ‘thereon’ means ‘after that’ or ‘following that’, whereas ‘after’ simply means ‘later in time’.
Mistake 2: Using ‘Thereon’ Instead Of ‘After’
On the other hand, some people use ‘thereon’ when ‘after’ should be used. For instance, instead of saying “He finished his meal and thereon left the restaurant”, it should be “He finished his meal and after left the restaurant”. The word ‘after’ is used when referring to a later time or event, whereas ‘thereon’ means ‘on that’ or ‘on that point’.
Tips To Avoid Mistakes
Here are some tips to avoid making mistakes when using ‘after’ and ‘thereon’:
- Read and understand the definitions of both words to differentiate their meanings.
- Practice using both words in sentences to get comfortable with their meanings and usage.
- Proofread your writing to ensure that you are using the correct word in the right context.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between “after” and “thereon,” context plays a crucial role. The decision to use one over the other depends on the specific situation in which they are used.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “after” and “thereon” might change:
| Context | Appropriate Choice | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Documents | Thereon | In legal documents, “thereon” is often used to refer to a specific section or clause that has been previously mentioned. For example, “The parties agreed to the terms and conditions set forth in section 2.3 and shall abide by the provisions thereon.” |
| Chronological Order | After | When discussing events in chronological order, “after” is the appropriate choice. For example, “After the meeting, we went out for dinner.” |
| Cause and Effect | After | When discussing cause and effect, “after” is also the appropriate choice. For example, “After the storm, many trees were knocked down.” |
| Instructions | Thereon | In instructional documents, “thereon” is often used to refer to a specific step or action. For example, “Add the flour to the mixture and stir well. Thereon, pour the batter into the baking dish.” |
As you can see from these examples, the choice between “after” and “thereon” depends on the context in which they are used. It’s important to choose the appropriate word to ensure clear and effective communication.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using after and thereon are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind.
1. Legal Terminology
In legal terminology, after and thereon can have specific meanings that may not align with their common usage. For example, in a legal context, after might refer to a specified period of time after a particular event, while thereon might refer to a specific location or property.
For instance, in a lease agreement, thereon might refer to the property being leased, while after might refer to the date when rent is due after the start of the lease term.
2. Technical Writing
In technical writing, after and thereon might also have specific meanings that differ from their everyday usage. For example, in computer programming, after might refer to a specified action that occurs once a preceding action is completed, while thereon might refer to a specific location in a document or file.
For instance, in a coding language, after might refer to a command that executes after a specific event occurs, while thereon might refer to a specific line or section of code within a file.
3. Idiomatic Expressions
Finally, there are some idiomatic expressions that use after and thereon in ways that may not align with their literal meanings. For example, the phrase “after all” is often used to indicate that something is true despite initial doubts or reservations, while the phrase “thereon hangs a tale” is used to indicate that there is a story or explanation behind something.
Other idiomatic expressions that use after and thereon in unique ways include “after the fact,” which refers to something that occurs after an event has already taken place, and “thereon in,” which is a phrase used to indicate that something will continue or progress in a particular way.
It’s important to be aware of these exceptions to the rules for using after and thereon, as they can significantly impact the meaning of a sentence or phrase.
Practice Exercises
To help readers improve their understanding and use of “after” and “thereon” in sentences, here are a few practice exercises:
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:
| Sentence | Word Choices |
|---|---|
| 1. ___________ finishing his homework, John went to bed. | after / thereon |
| 2. The concert was canceled due to rain. ___________, the band played a show the next night. | After / Thereon |
| 3. Sarah went to the gym, and ___________ went to the grocery store. | after / thereon |
| 4. The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff. ___________, the defendant appealed the decision. | After / Thereon |
| 5. The team lost the game. ___________, they vowed to work harder in the next match. | After / Thereon |
Answer Key:
| Sentence | Correct Word |
|---|---|
| 1. After finishing his homework, John went to bed. | after |
| 2. The concert was canceled due to rain. Thereon, the band played a show the next night. | thereon |
| 3. Sarah went to the gym, and thereon went to the grocery store. | thereon |
| 4. The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff. Thereon, the defendant appealed the decision. | thereon |
| 5. The team lost the game. Thereon, they vowed to work harder in the next match. | thereon |
Exercise 2:
Write a sentence using “after” and another sentence using “thereon” to describe the following scenarios:
- Finishing a long hike
- Graduating from college
- Getting a promotion at work
Example Answers:
- After finishing the long hike, we were exhausted but proud of ourselves.
- Thereon, she pursued a career in her field of study after graduating from college.
- After getting a promotion at work, he celebrated with his colleagues.
Remember, “after” is used to indicate that one event happened first, and “thereon” is used to indicate that something happened as a result of a previous event. Keep practicing to improve your understanding and use of these two words!
Conclusion
After vs Thereon are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. After refers to something that happens in the future, while thereon refers to something that happens immediately after something else. Understanding the difference between these two words is important for effective communication and clear writing.
Key Takeaways
- After refers to something that happens in the future, while thereon refers to something that happens immediately after something else.
- Using these words interchangeably can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
- When in doubt, consult a grammar guide or dictionary to ensure proper usage.
By mastering the proper usage of after and thereon, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. It is important to continue learning about grammar and language use to become a more skilled writer. Keep practicing and refining your skills, and you will see improvement over time.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.