after buying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after buying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action that occurs subsequent to the act of purchasing something. Example: "After buying the new laptop, I realized I needed to purchase additional software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After buying a Community Supported Agriculture (C.S.A).

The New York Times - Travel

Twice after buying Simmons, THL borrowed more.

The New York Times

After buying a sandwich, I asked for tap water.

The New York Times

She first volunteered after buying tickets for a ballet performance.

The New York Times

And I butterfingered the latte right after buying it.

The Washington Post

My plan is to walk home, after buying cocoa.

The Guardian - Travel

After buying the new shares, Mikhail now owns shares worth $100.5m (99.5% × $101m).

Harvard University

Francis says he had an epiphany after buying a 1979 300SD for $700.

The New York Times

After buying a title, he made his name in the 1980s organising the notorious Gatecrasher Balls.

Independent

(Rosneft, a state-owned oil firm, looks too debt-ridden after buying part of Yukos).

The Economist

But there are also cases where years after buying an annuity, the owner wants it clarified.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after buying", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the sequence of events, with the purchase occurring before the subsequent action. For clarity, consider using a comma after the phrase to separate it from the main clause.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the subject of the action immediately after the "after buying" phrase. Incorrect: After buying, the product was immediately returned. Correct: After buying the product, the customer immediately returned it.

Linguistic Context

"After buying" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause that specifies the temporal context of an action. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its use in various sentence structures, typically indicating an action that occurs subsequent to a purchase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after buying" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction used to denote a sequence of events where a purchase precedes a subsequent action. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usability across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives like "following the purchase" in academic or highly professional settings. Remember to maintain clarity by ensuring the subject is clear and well-placed within the sentence. By understanding its function and considering context-appropriate alternatives, you can effectively incorporate "after buying" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following the purchase of

More formal and emphasizes the completed action of purchasing.

having bought

Uses a perfect participle to indicate completion before the next action.

subsequent to buying

A more formal and less common alternative.

upon acquiring

Highlights the acquisition aspect of the purchase.

after the acquisition

Similar to 'following the purchase' but emphasizes acquisition.

once the purchase was made

Emphasizes the completion of the transaction.

with the acquisition of

Focuses on the acquisition process.

post-purchase

A concise, business-oriented term.

on purchasing

A more direct, albeit less common, alternative.

subsequent purchase

Uses a noun form to describe something happening after a purchase was made.

FAQs

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

Use "after buying" to indicate an action that follows the act of purchasing something. For example, "After buying the book, I started reading it immediately".

What are some alternatives to "after buying"?

You can use phrases like "following the purchase of", "subsequent to buying", or "once the purchase was made" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "after buying"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "after buying", but ensure the sentence structure is clear and the subject of the action is easily identifiable.

What's the difference between "after buying" and "after the purchase"?

"After buying" uses a gerund, emphasizing the action, while "after the purchase" uses a noun phrase, emphasizing the completed transaction. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the action of buying or the state following the purchase.