after or afterwards

[jasonlulu_2000]

I bought a new umbrella but lost it shortly afterward.

Could I use "after" to replace "afterward" in this case?

That is, I bought a new umbrella but lost it shortly after.

Jason

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes — you should use after.

Rover

 

[Barb_D]

Okay - I would have said "afterwards" with the S.
For "shortly after" I feel something is missing. "But lost it shortly after I got it."

American? Or just personal preference?

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm with you Barb. I would have said "afterwards". Actually, I would probably have said "I lost it a little while later" but for the purposes of this exercise, after "shortly" I would say "afterwards".

 

[billmcd]

I bought a new umbrella but lost it shortly afterward.

Could I use "after" to replace "afterward" in this case?

That is, I bought a new umbrella but lost it shortly after.

Jason

I would be inclined to use "afterward" (no "s") and from what I have learned, use of the word with "s" is more popular in BrE (check this please, BrE speakers). Also, to simply use "after" seems to me to "beg" a continuation such as "after I bought it".