anschließend

Anschließend is a German adverb meaning "afterwards," "subsequently," or "next." It signals that an action or event follows a previous one. It can introduce a new sentence or clause and is commonly used to describe sequence in both spoken and written German.

Usage and expressions

Anschließend can stand at the start of a sentence: "Zuerst erläutert der Dozent die Theorie; anschließend folgt eine praktische Übung." It can also be used within a sentence to indicate continuation: "Die Ergebnisse werden vorgestellt; anschließend diskutieren wir sie." A common fixed expression is "im Anschluss an," meaning "in connection with" or "following" something specific, as in "Im Anschluss an die Sitzung gab es eine Fragerunde." The expression is especially frequent in formal or official contexts, such as agendas, minutes, reports, and announcements.

Grammar and style

Anschließend is primarily an adverb. It is typically neutral and somewhat formal, making it more common in written or formal speech than in casual conversation. It is flexible in position: it can begin a sentence or appear after a main clause, often separated by a comma when used mid-sentence.

Etymology and register

The word derives from the verb anschließen (to connect, to join) with the participial suffix -end, conveying the idea of something that follows in sequence or is connected to what precedes. In modern usage, anschließen emphasizes temporal or logical succession and is preferred in formal contexts.

See also

Synonyms include danach, nachfolgend, anschließend; the related phrase im Anschluss an is used to reference what comes after a stated item.