After discovering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "After discovering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action that takes place following the act of discovering something. Example: "After discovering the hidden treasure, the explorers celebrated their good fortune."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

After discovering Ferguson's videos, he started trekking to San Gabriel.

The Guardian

After discovering the suit, F.D.A. officials began to suspect his motives.

The New York Times

After discovering the impressionism of Debussy, he fashions a synthesis of French and German musical values.

The New Yorker

After discovering the series, he read those three books ten times each.

The New Yorker

After discovering she'd taken Carole's possessions, they reported her to the GMC and the police.

The Guardian

After discovering the plot, Major League Baseball began to more closely scrutinize Nunez and the Levinsons.

The New York Times - Sports

After discovering Jeff's many affairs (again, reader sympathy is key), Mindy files for divorce.

The New Yorker

After discovering that he had stolen code, Goldman reported him to federal authorities.

The New York Times

After discovering what would become Vail Mountain in 1957, he devoted himself to his dream.

The New York Times

After discovering there was no buying guide, they jumped in.

Forbes

After discovering this fact, they asked if the decision could be deferred.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "After discovering", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who made the discovery and what the subsequent action was. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid placing the phrase "After discovering" too far from the subject who made the discovery. This can lead to confusion about who performed the action. For example, instead of saying "After discovering the error, the report was revised", say "After discovering the error, the analyst revised the report."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "After discovering" functions as an introductory prepositional phrase, modifying the main clause of the sentence by providing a temporal context. It establishes a sequence of events, indicating that the action in the main clause occurred subsequent to the act of discovering something as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

31%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "After discovering" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that effectively establishes a chronological sequence of events. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, wiki, and scientific sources. While its register is generally neutral, it tends to lean towards informal due to its common appearance in general conversational contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by placing it close to the subject who made the discovery to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Upon discovering

Replaces "after" with "upon", conveying a more immediate sense of timing.

Having discovered

Uses a perfect participle to emphasize the completed action of discovering.

Once it was discovered

Introduces a passive construction focusing on the discovery itself.

Following the discovery of

Transforms the phrase into a more formal and noun-based construction.

Subsequent to the discovery

Employs more formal vocabulary to indicate sequence.

With the discovery of

Shifts the focus to the result of discovering.

As a result of discovering

Highlights the causal relationship between discovering and the subsequent action.

On discovery of

Similar to "upon discovering" but slightly less common.

After the revelation of

Suggests the discovery involves something previously hidden or unknown.

Now that they had discovered

Explains clearly that after finding out about something, action was taken.

FAQs

How can I use "After discovering" in a sentence?

"After discovering" is used to indicate that something happened following the act of finding something out. For example, "After discovering the leak, they called a plumber."

What phrases are similar to "After discovering"?

You can use alternatives like "upon discovering", "having discovered", or "following the discovery of" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "After discovering"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "After discovering", as long as the sentence maintains a clear subject and verb and adheres to standard grammatical rules.

What's the difference between "After discovering" and "Following the discovery of"?

While both phrases indicate a sequence of events, "After discovering" is more direct and less formal. "Following the discovery of" is more formal and often used in official or academic contexts.