after being used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after being used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a state or condition that follows the utilization of something. Example: "The tool should be cleaned thoroughly after being used to ensure its longevity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After being used as submarine tenders in World War I, they were scrapped in 1922.

Britannica

Meanwhile, after being used for ten times, the enzyme activity retention rate was 94.5%.

Biochemical Engineering Journal

The humorous ads show valuable objects like Charles Eames chairs that were damaged after being used as bottle openers.

The New York Times

The advantage of this, he says, is that it can be thrown away after being used, leaves and all.

The Guardian

After being used briefly to make matches, white phosphorus was adopted by the military primarily as an obscurant.

The Guardian

In addition, a reasonable degradation rate of 80.96% was achieved even after being used for 5 times.

Surface and Coatings Technology

In addition, the Lipozyme RM IM maintained more than 90% of its original activity after being used for six cycles.

Journal of Cleaner Production

It has become more prominent after being used by some speakers at TED, a conference series adored by techies.

The Economist

A work of art may also carry liens after being used as a collateral for a loan.

The Economist

He may not even start on Wednesday, after being used as essentially a 60-minute starter so far.

The New York Times - Sports

To date, 138 firearms linked to the dealer in Missouri have been recovered after being used in crimes in the Washington area, including homicide and burglary.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the lifespan of a product, use "after being used" to clarify the state or condition following a specific period of use. For instance, "After being used daily for a year, the device still functions efficiently."

Common error

Avoid using "after using" when you mean to emphasize that the subject received the action. "After using the tool" implies the subject did the using, whereas "after being used" implies the subject was used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after being used" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a temporal relationship. It describes a state or condition that occurs subsequent to something undergoing utilization. This phrase often introduces a clause that provides further details about the object or subject in its post-use state, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after being used" is a versatile and common prepositional phrase used to indicate a temporal relationship, specifically what happens or the state of something following its utilization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, including scientific research, news reporting, and formal documentation. While it is suitable for neutral registers, more formal alternatives such as "following utilization" exist for specialized writing. Remembering to use the passive voice correctly is key to properly conveying the intended meaning with "after being used".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after application

A shortened version of "after its application", emphasizing the direct action.

following utilization

This alternative replaces "being used" with a more formal noun phrase, emphasizing the act of utilization.

after its application

This emphasizes the application of something, suitable in contexts where 'application' is more relevant than general 'use'.

post-usage

This is a more concise and technical term, implying a state or condition that exists after something has been used.

once it has been employed

This alternative changes the structure to a more explicit conditional clause.

upon completion of use

This alternative focuses on the completion of the act of using something.

once employed

A more concise way of saying "once it has been employed", suitable for technical contexts.

subsequent to employment

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary to express the same temporal relationship after use.

following its service

This is particularly appropriate when referring to something providing a service or function.

in the wake of utilization

This alternative is more emphatic, implying a consequence or result following use.

FAQs

How can I use "after being used" in a sentence?

You can use "after being used" to describe the state or condition of an object or entity following its utilization. For example, "The equipment was carefully inspected "after being used" in the experiment."

What are some alternatives to "after being used"?

Alternatives include "following utilization", "post-usage", or "subsequent to employment", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is there a difference between "after using" and "after being used"?

Yes, "after using" implies that the subject performed the action, while "after being used" indicates that the subject received the action. For example, "After using the software, I saved the file" versus "After being used as a test case, the software was updated".

Which is more formal, "after being used" or "following utilization"?

Following utilization is generally more formal than "after being used", as it employs more sophisticated vocabulary. However, the choice depends on the context and audience.