after finishing

USAGE SUMMARY

"after finishing" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the temporal sequence of two events - after one event (the one indicated by "finishing") has been completed, then the second event happens. For example: After finishing their homework, the children went outside to play.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After finishing the hair hump.

WikiHow

Barton was sacked two years later after finishing 10th.

Independent

You might, after finishing it, have reservations.

The Guardian - Books

After finishing the article I was incensed.

The New York Times

He quit school after finishing the eighth grade.

The New Yorker

"Woulda, shoulda, coulda, I guess," he said after finishing 12th.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was hysterical after finishing a marathon," she explained.

The New Yorker

He threw it away after finishing 150 pages.

The New York Times - Books

He left science after finishing his Ph.D.

Science Magazine

Sally went home after finishing shopping".

Lingua Sinica

Thus, the enamel roughness found after finishing is acceptable.

Applied Adhesion Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after finishing", ensure the subject of the finishing action is clear, either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context.

Common error

Avoid placing "after finishing" at the beginning of a sentence if it's unclear who or what is doing the finishing. This can lead to a dangling modifier, confusing the reader. For example, instead of "After finishing the report, the computer was shut down", write "After finishing the report, she shut down the computer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after finishing" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a temporal relationship. It specifies that an action occurs subsequent to the completion of another action. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after finishing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase to describe the temporal sequence of events, with one action following the completion of another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and valid phrase. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by avoiding dangling modifiers and making the subject of the finishing action explicit. Alternatives like "upon completion of" or "once completed" can offer a more formal or concise tone, as discussed earlier. You can find this phrase across different source types like News & Media, Science, and Wiki. Mastering its proper usage ensures clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon completion of

Replaces "after finishing" with a more formal tone, emphasizing the act of completing something.

following the completion of

Similar to "upon completion of" but slightly more verbose.

having finished

Uses a perfect participle construction.

once completed

Uses a passive voice to describe the state of being finished.

on finishing

A more concise alternative, particularly suitable for certain contexts.

with the completion of

Similar in meaning but rephrased to emphasize the completion itself.

subsequent to finishing

More formal and less common alternative.

after concluding

Emphasizes the act of bringing something to an end.

post-completion

A shorter, more technical term.

at the end of

Focuses on the point in time when something concludes, rather than the act of finishing.

FAQs

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

You can use "after finishing" to indicate an action that occurs subsequently to the completion of another action. For example, "After finishing dinner, we went for a walk".

What are some alternatives to "after finishing"?

Some alternatives include "upon completion of", "following the completion of", or "once completed", depending on the context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "after finishing"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "after finishing", as long as the subject performing the action is clear and the phrase doesn't result in a dangling modifier. For example: "After finishing work, I went home".

What's the difference between "after finishing" and "after completing"?

"After finishing" and "after completing" are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "after completing" might be preferred when referring to the successful end of a more complex or significant task.