after discovering that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after discovering that" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a clause that describes an action that occurs after a discovery or realization. Example: After discovering that she had forgotten her keys, she had to call a locksmith to let her into her apartment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just after discovering that she was pregnant, Ruth learned that she has Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The New York Times

The police raided his house, after discovering that one of the tenants was a counterfeiter.

The New Yorker

After discovering that he had stolen code, Goldman reported him to federal authorities.

The New York Times

Five women plan to exact revenge after discovering that one of their husbands has a mistress.

The New York Times - Books

Lamentably, the pair has recently split up after discovering that they despise each other.

The Guardian - Film

He is accused of murdering Angie Zapata after discovering that she was born male.

The New York Times

The officer arrested Mr. Babbitt after discovering that he was "under the influence of alcohol," Captain Artone said.

The New York Times

He broke off an engagement, on his father's orders, after discovering that his fiancée was dying of consumption.

The Economist

But many clients, after discovering that the president of Gilbreth, Inc., was a woman, simply dropped their accounts.

The New Yorker

However, after discovering that Jakie is singing in a saloon, the cantor beats him, and Jakie runs away from home.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Brodhead had reached out to Fong after discovering that they shared a number of things in common.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after discovering that", ensure that the clause following 'that' clearly explains what was discovered and its relevance to the main clause. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid placing "after discovering that" too far from the subject it modifies. Doing so can create confusion about who made the discovery. For instance, instead of writing 'The project was abandoned after discovering that, despite initial optimism, it was not financially viable', write 'After discovering that the project was not financially viable, it was abandoned'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after discovering that" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing an adverbial clause of time. It connects a dependent clause (the discovery) to an independent clause (the result of the discovery). As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after discovering that" is a versatile and grammatically correct conjunction used to link a discovery with its consequences. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's prevalent in various forms of writing, although most commonly found in news and media. Pay attention to sentence structure to avoid misplaced modifiers, and consider synonyms like "upon finding out that" for stylistic variation. Mastering the use of this phrase ensures clarity and precision in your writing, highlighting the cause-and-effect relationship between a discovery and its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon finding out that

Emphasizes the moment of finding information, similar to discovering.

once it was revealed that

Highlights the unveiling or disclosure of information.

subsequent to learning that

A more formal way of expressing the acquisition of knowledge.

following the revelation that

Focuses on the revelatory aspect of the discovery.

in the wake of finding that

Suggests a consequence or aftermath of the discovery.

on the heels of realizing that

Implies a quick succession of events after realization.

as a result of finding that

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship linked to a discovery.

now that it's been discovered that

Emphasizes the present state after a discovery has been made.

with the understanding that

Implies that the action is based on the information that has been discovered.

having ascertained that

A more formal way of stating that something has been definitely discovered or found out.

FAQs

How can I use "after discovering that" in a sentence?

Use "after discovering that" to introduce a clause explaining the result of a finding. For example, "After discovering that the initial data was flawed, the team revised its analysis".

What's a synonym for "after discovering that"?

Alternatives include "upon finding out that", "once it was revealed that", or "subsequent to learning that". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to include 'that' after 'discovering'?

While it's grammatically correct to include 'that', it can sometimes be omitted for brevity, especially in informal writing. However, including 'that' often improves clarity. For example, "after discovering that the road was closed" is clearer than "after discovering the road was closed".

What's the difference between "after discovering that" and "after learning that"?

"After discovering that" implies a more active process of finding something out, whereas "after learning that" is more general. You might use "after discovering that" when referring to uncovering new information through investigation, and "after learning that" when simply being informed of something.