after a dozen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after a dozen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity or occurrence that follows twelve of something. Example: "After a dozen attempts, she finally succeeded in solving the puzzle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After a dozen shots, I asked Irene to dance.

The New Yorker

Yet after a dozen of them my interest waned.

The New York Times

After a dozen stitches, he was back on the job.

The New York Times

After a dozen strides, the first stars appear.

The New York Times - Arts

After a dozen or so repeats, however, the thrill is gone.

The New York Times - Arts

After a dozen such attacks appeared, Slim invited Dresser to his office for a meeting.

The New Yorker

After a dozen years, Arlow has a good grasp of what Roux wants.

The New Yorker

After a dozen minor incidents — being grabbed, being followed — I appealed, but the punishment stayed.

The New York Times

My mother burst out of her caretaking role after a dozen years.

The New York Times

Mr Mankell consigned his hero, Kurt Wallander, to Alzheimer's after a dozen bestsellers.

The Economist

"You'd go after one just like you'd go after a dozen," Mr. Poore said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add variety to your writing, occasionally substitute "after a dozen" with more descriptive phrases like "following twelve attempts" or "subsequent to a dozen years" depending on your subject.

Common error

Avoid using "after a dozen" when the exact number is crucial. If precision is necessary, use the specific number instead of the general term 'dozen'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a dozen" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating a temporal relationship following a specific quantity. Ludwig shows many examples demonstrating its correct usage in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after a dozen" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a point in time or sequence following twelve instances of something. As indicated by Ludwig, it is used correctly across various contexts, with a primary presence in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what the "dozen" refers to, and consider alternatives like "following twelve" for varied writing. Avoid using it when precision is crucial, opting for the specific number instead. This ensures clarity and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following twelve

Directly replaces 'a dozen' with its numerical equivalent, maintaining a similar level of formality.

subsequent to a dozen

More formal and emphasizes the sequential nature of the occurrence.

after twelve

Simplifies the phrase by removing the article 'a', slightly reducing formality.

once a dozen had passed

Emphasizes the completion of the twelve items or units.

past a dozen

Informal and suggests a point beyond the quantity of twelve.

exceeding a dozen

Focuses on surpassing the quantity of twelve, implying a count greater than twelve.

in excess of a dozen

Formal and stresses that the quantity is more than twelve.

upon completion of a dozen

Highlights the completion aspect of reaching twelve units or occurrences.

following a dozen instances

More specific by using "instances", clarifying the nature of what is counted.

after achieving a dozen

Emphasizes the accomplishment or reaching of a certain level or quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "after a dozen" in a sentence?

Use "after a dozen" to indicate a point in time or sequence following twelve instances of something. For example, "After a dozen attempts, he finally succeeded".

What are some alternatives to saying "after a dozen"?

You can use alternatives such as "following twelve", "subsequent to a dozen", or "after twelve" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "after a dozen"?

Yes, "after a dozen" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal writing to denote a point following twelve units or instances.

What's the difference between "after a dozen" and "after many"?

"After a dozen" specifies a quantity of twelve, whereas "after many" indicates an unspecified, large quantity. Use "after a dozen" for precise counts and "after many" when the exact number is not important.