hereupon / onto this
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hereupon / after this
Expresses a sequence in time and means 'after that' or 'subsequently.' It is mainly used in written language.
Der Redner beendete seine Einführung; hierauf begann die eigentliche Debatte.
The speaker finished his introduction; hereupon the actual debate began.
onto this
Expresses a position in space and means 'onto this thing' or 'on top of this here.' This meaning is rarer and rather formal.
Nehmen Sie den Stempel und drücken Sie ihn genau hierauf.
Take the stamp and press it exactly onto this.
'Hierauf' is a pronominal adverb, made up of 'hier' (here) and 'auf' (on / onto). It literally means 'onto this' and can refer to a time or a place.
Zuerst kam die Theorie, hierauf folgten die praktischen Übungen.
First came the theory; after this came the practical exercises.
When 'hierauf' stands at the beginning of a sentence, the conjugated verb follows directly. This word order (inversion) is typical for adverbs in position 1.
Der Vertrag wurde geprüft. Hierauf leisteten beide Parteien ihre Unterschrift.
The contract was reviewed. Hereupon both parties provided their signatures.
In its temporal meaning ('danach' = after that), 'hierauf' belongs to formal written language. It is rarely used in spoken language.
Der Vorstand fasste den Beschluss. Hierauf wurden die Mitarbeiter informiert.
The board passed the resolution. Hereupon the employees were informed.
You can tell from context whether a temporal or spatial meaning is intended. If 'hierauf' refers to an event, it is temporal. If it refers to an object, it is spatial.
Zuerst gab es eine Warnung, hierauf folgte die Kündigung.
First there was a warning; after this came the dismissal.
afterward / after that
Danach and hierauf can express that one event follows another in time. Danach is the neutral choice; hierauf is used mainly in written language and connects particularly closely to the event described immediately beforehand. In ordinary conversation, danach is therefore usually the better fit.
Der Gast unterschrieb das Formular; hierauf erhielt er den Schlüssel.
The guest signed the form; hereupon, he was given the key.
Der Gast unterschrieb das Formular und bekam danach den Schlüssel.
The guest signed the form and was given the key afterward.
