After

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "after" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happens later in time, or to express a preference for something. For example: "After dinner, I like to take a walk in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

After all, you just go to an emergency room".

The New York Times

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

"We lose core user after core user by not addressing simple trolling issues that they face every day".

The Guardian - Tech

But we'll know much more after the other side goes because arguments are often one-sided like this half way through.

The New York Times

Forbes ranks it as the second-largest private company in the country, after Cargill, and its consistent profitability has made David and Charles Koch—who, years ago, bought out two other brothers—among the richest men in America.

The Economist

The palace source added: "It is the tradition now that after the general election the Queen is at Windsor until such a time as someone is able to form a new government.

The Guardian

After Buhari lost to Jonathan in 2011, 800 people died and 65,000 were forced from their homes by riots in the north.

The Guardian

The future of Barack Obama's signature healthcare reforms hangs in the balance after facing a rigorous challenge from conservative justices on the supreme court.

The Guardian

MPs and peers laughed as Merkel, who recalled her first visit to London in the spring of 1990 shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, said those expecting a "fundamental reform of the European architecture" in Britain's direction would be disappointed.

The Guardian

After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As part of the UK's largest after-hours cultural festival, more than 500 museums, galleries and heritage sites across the country are turning nocturnal this weekend, inviting the public to experience their collections and history after dark.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after" to indicate time, ensure the sequence of events is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "after the meeting" rather than just "after".

Common error

Avoid using "after" with future perfect tenses when a simple past or present perfect tense is more appropriate. Instead of "after he will have finished", use "after he finishes" or "after he has finished".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "after" is to indicate temporal sequence, specifying that one event occurs subsequent to another. This can be seen across numerous examples Ludwig provides, demonstrating its role as a preposition, conjunction, or adverb to connect events in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after" is a versatile word primarily used to indicate temporal sequence, with secondary uses indicating pursuit or imitation. As noted by Ludwig, it functions as a preposition, conjunction, or adverb. Predominantly found in news and media, its register is neutral, making it appropriate for various contexts. When using "after", ensure clarity in complex tenses, and remember its varied meanings to convey your intended message effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Following

Indicates something that comes directly in sequence, similar to "after" but often implies a more immediate succession.

Afterwards

Functions as an adverb to denote a time that comes after a specified event.

Subsequently

Suggests a later time or event, often emphasizing a logical or causal connection.

Succeeding

Highlights the act of coming next in a sequence or order, can denote a transition from one thing to another.

Later on

A more informal way to indicate a time in the future relative to a specific event.

In the aftermath of

Similar to "in the wake of", but can suggest a more prolonged or complex period following an event.

In the wake of

Emphasizes the consequences or results that follow an event, often implying a significant impact.

Resulting from

Focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship, showing that something is a direct outcome.

Post

A prefix indicating something that happens after a specific event or time.

Pursuing

When "after" indicates seeking something, this alternative highlights the act of actively trying to obtain it.

FAQs

How can I use "after" in a sentence to show sequence?

Use "after" as a preposition or conjunction to indicate that one event follows another. For example, "We had a few beers after the game" or "I went home after we had decided to call it a day".

What's the difference between "after" and "afterwards"?

"After" is used as a preposition, conjunction, or adjective, whereas "afterwards" is an adverb. You can say "after the show" but you'd say "we went home afterwards".

When should I use "after" instead of "following"?

Both can indicate sequence, but "after" is more versatile, used as a preposition, conjunction, or adverb. "Following" is typically a preposition or adjective and often implies a direct or immediate sequence.

Can "after" indicate something other than time?

Yes, "after" can also mean "in pursuit of", as in "He's after a job", or "in imitation of", as in "We named him after his grandfather".