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subsequent
/ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt/
following in time or order
She made a mistake in the first step and subsequent steps were even more complicated.
The errors compounded after the initial mistake.
formal
Following in time or order; coming after something else
The first meeting was on Monday, and the subsequent meetings were scheduled for Wednesday and Friday.
The meetings that followed the initial one.
In subsequent chapters, the author explores the implications of the theory.
The chapters that come after the earlier ones.
Often used in academic, legal, or technical writing to indicate something that follows logically or chronologically.
Collocations
in subsequent yearsin the years that followsubsequent toafter; following
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy with 'after'
Do not use 'subsequent' with 'after' in the same phrase. Instead of 'after the meeting, the subsequent discussion...', use 'after the meeting, the discussion...' or 'the subsequent discussion after the meeting...'.
Gold Rule
Use for logical or chronological order
'Subsequent' implies a direct or natural sequence. It is not used for unrelated events that happen to occur later.
Word Origin
From Latin *subsequens*, present participle of *subsequi* (to follow closely), from *sub-* (under, close to) + *sequi* (to follow). First recorded in English in the late 16th century.
Usage Notes
Used to indicate a natural or logical progression. Avoid redundancy by not pairing with 'after' (e.g., 'subsequent to the event' is correct; 'after the event that subsequently occurred' is redundant).
Word Breakdown
sub-
under, close to
prefix-sequent
following
rootEnglish Dictionary