after a friend of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after a friend of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an action or event that occurs following a mention or involvement of a friend. Example: "I decided to go hiking after a friend of mine suggested it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

They were after a friend of mine.

The Guardian - Opinion

The shooting took place shortly after a friend of Johnson's discovered someone burglarizing his boat.

The New York Times

After a friend of the family was shot in the head walking home from school, they moved.

The New York Times

He quit after a friend of the nephew e-mailed Belgian bishops threatening to expose the bishop and demanding his resignation.

The New York Times

Ultimately, Mr. Onyeabor relented, but only after a friend of Mr. Ikonne's refused to leave Mr. Onyeabor's home without a signed contract.

The New York Times - Arts

His story was first reported Wednesday on News 12 Long Island, a cable news channel, after a friend of his family called the station, his lawyer said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

After my mother's death, I was looked after by a friend of hers, who had three older children – two were young adults, aged 20 and 18.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just after ten, a friend of Ravi's from home posted "@Dharun you perv!" on Twitter.

The New Yorker

After "Animal House," a friend of mine was the publicist on "The Muppet Movie," and I asked him to introduce me to Jim Henson and Frank Oz.

The New York Times

Rainbow Bagels – the name is trademarked – became a massive hit in New York after Jonathan Cheban, a friend of Kim Kardashian, shared pictures of his purchase on Snapchat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A stubby craft with wings that resemble dachshund ears, it never went into production, coming to an abrupt end after Harry Brooks, a friend of Henry Ford's, crashed in one off the Miami coast.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after a friend of", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the relationship between the friend's action and the subsequent event. Clarity prevents misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid placing the phrase too far from the action it modifies. For example, instead of "The project was started, after a friend of mine suggested it, with great enthusiasm", write "After a friend of mine suggested it, the project was started with great enthusiasm".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a friend of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the timing or reason for an action, indicating that it occurred following an action or suggestion made by a friend. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

9%

Huffington Post

9%

Less common in

The Guardian

5%

Vice

2%

The New Yorker

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after a friend of" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that an action or event occurred following a friend's involvement, according to Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to provide context and explanation. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity in sentence structure to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives like "following a friend's suggestion" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression. Ludwig's examples from authoritative sources confirm its widespread applicability in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a friend's action

Focuses on the action initiated by a friend, emphasizing the direct consequence.

because a friend suggested it

Directly states the reason based on a friend's input.

subsequent to a friend's intervention

Highlights the intervening role of a friend, adding a layer of formality.

influenced by a friend's suggestion

Highlights the element of influence in the friend's role.

as a result of a friend's doing

Emphasizes causality stemming from a friend's actions.

due to a friend's prompting

Similar to 'prompted by', but with a more direct cause-and-effect relationship.

on the heels of a friend's request

Implies immediacy and direct prompting by a friend.

prompted by a friend's referral

Highlights the referral aspect, suggesting guidance from a friend.

following counsel from a friend

Emphasizes the advice received from a friend.

with a friend's recommendation

Indicates that an action was based on a friend's positive endorsement.

FAQs

How can I use "after a friend of" in a sentence?

Use "after a friend of" to indicate that an event occurred following something done or suggested by a friend. For instance, "I started learning Spanish "after a friend of mine" recommended a language learning app".

What are some alternatives to "after a friend of"?

You can use alternatives such as "following a friend's suggestion", "due to a friend's recommendation", or "prompted by a friend" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "after a friend of mine" or "after my friend"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "After my friend" is more direct, while ""after a friend of mine"" can imply that the friend is one of many.

When should I use "after a friend of" versus "because of a friend's"?

"After a friend of" implies a sequence of events, whereas "because of a friend's" implies causality. Use "because of a friend's" when the friend's action directly caused the subsequent event.