after detecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after detecting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action that occurs following the identification or recognition of something. Example: "After detecting a security breach, the system automatically initiated lockdown procedures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

What is clear is that the United States has reacted quickly after detecting them.

The New York Times

Our Fitbits can order a sports drink for us after detecting exercise, but can't I just pop into a shop?

The Guardian

Plant managers had not decontaminated the peanut butter processing line after detecting salmonella, the federal report shows.

The New York Times

After detecting potential prey, the bat approaches, covering the site with its wings and tail membrane.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And this year, several Southern states in the United States banned or blocked imports of Chinese catfish after detecting illegal antibiotics.

The New York Times

After detecting a strong or disagreeable odor, people with a normal sense of smell take very small sniffs to avoid smelling it.

The New York Times - Health

A group of songbirds may have avoided a devastating storm by fleeing their US breeding grounds after detecting telltale infrasound waves.

The Guardian

That month the state-run power company EDF filed a complaint with police after detecting small aerial vehicles zipping over seven atomic plants.

The Guardian

Elsewhere mining group Lonmin is down 1p at 175.7p as it announced it had stopped its Number two furnace at a South African mine after detecting electrode breaks.

The Guardian - Business

Jack is a 40-year-old programming manager in Silicon Valley who has recently been sacked from his job after detecting some shady business practices at his company.

The New York Times - Books

In recent years, the European Union and Japan have both placed restrictions on imports of Chinese seafood after detecting banned antibiotics, like malachite green.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after detecting", ensure the subject performing the detection is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who or what is doing the detecting.

Common error

Avoid placing "after detecting" at the beginning of a sentence if it creates a dangling modifier. Instead of "After detecting, the alarm was triggered," write "After the system detected the intrusion, the alarm was triggered".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after detecting" serves as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when an action occurs. It introduces a temporal clause, specifying that the main action takes place subsequent to the act of detecting something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after detecting" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that establishes a temporal sequence between detecting something and a subsequent action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions to indicate that one event follows another, often implying a cause-and-effect relationship. This phrase is suitable for a range of contexts, from scientific and technical writing to news reporting, maintaining a generally neutral register. It's important to ensure clarity by specifying the subject performing the detection to avoid ambiguity. While versatile, alternatives like "upon detection of" or "following the detection of" may be more appropriate in formal settings. A common error to avoid is creating dangling modifiers by misplacing the phrase at the beginning of a sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon detection of

Formal alternative emphasizing immediacy after discovery.

following the detection of

Formal and emphasizes the sequence of events.

once it was detected

Passive voice construction, focusing on the state change after detection.

subsequent to detecting

A more formal synonym, highlighting the temporal sequence.

in the wake of detecting

Implies that events follow as a consequence of the detection.

on detecting

More concise and less formal.

with the detection of

Focuses on the presence of detection as a condition.

as a result of detecting

Highlights causality.

given the detection of

Focuses on detection as precondition.

post-detection

Very concise, used primarily in technical contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "after detecting" to indicate that an action follows the identification of something. For example, "After detecting the error, the program shut down automatically."

What can I say instead of "after detecting"?

You can use alternatives like "upon detection of", "following the detection of", or "once it was detected" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "after detecting" or "after detection"?

"After detecting" emphasizes the action of detecting, while "after detection" emphasizes the state of having detected. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning in your sentence. For example: "After detecting the anomaly..." vs "After the detection of the anomaly..."

What's the difference between "after detecting" and "upon identifying"?

"After detecting" implies a process of discovery or sensing, while "upon identifying" suggests a more specific act of recognizing or naming. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.