after he left

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "after he left" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time period following an action or event. For example: "The room was quiet after he left."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Soon after, he left campus.

The New York Times

Never did so again after he left.

Independent

The year after, he left for Paris.

The New York Times - Arts

"I cried after he left.

The New York Times

After he left, I fell apart.

The New York Times

After he left, the lieutenant scoffed.

The New Yorker

After he left, we heard gunfire.

The Guardian

He still stumped for Grand Valley, long after he left.

The New York Times - Sports

After he left, she thought perhaps Martha had been right.

The New Yorker

But after he left their house he wept.

The New Yorker

After he left, she sat there for an hour.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after he left" to clearly indicate a sequence of events, ensuring the reader understands that the action occurred subsequent to his departure. It enhances clarity and temporal context.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring that the events described using "after he left" are clearly sequenced. Ensure the sentence doesn't imply he was still present during the subsequent action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after he left" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred in relation to his departure. As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to refer to a time period following an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after he left" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate a sequence of events following someone's departure. With a very common frequency, it is primarily found in News & Media. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is useful to convey temporal relationships clearly. While suitable for most contexts, more formal alternatives like "following his departure" may be considered for sophisticated writing. Be mindful of ensuring clear sequencing to avoid ambiguity. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after his exit

More concise way of saying after his departure.

following his departure

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of departing.

post his departure

A concise and slightly more formal option.

subsequent to his leaving

A more formal and literary way of saying after he left.

upon his exit

Emphasizes the moment of leaving as a point of reference.

once he had gone

Highlights the completion of the action of leaving.

with him gone

Emphasizes the state of someone being no longer present.

in the wake of his exit

Suggests consequences or events that follow the departure.

in his absence

Highlights the state of being away, rather than the act of leaving.

later on

General term indicating a time following the departure without specifying it directly.

FAQs

How can I use "after he left" in a sentence?

Use "after he left" to indicate that something happened subsequent to his departure. For example, "After he left, the room felt empty."

What are some alternatives to "after he left"?

Alternatives include "following his departure", "subsequent to his leaving", or "once he had gone", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is there a difference between "after he left" and "when he left"?

While both phrases relate to his departure, "after he left" emphasizes the sequence of events, whereas "when he left" simply indicates that something occurred at the time of his departure. The first is more focused on what happened in consequence of his leaving and the other on that moment.

Can "after he left" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "after he left" is appropriate for formal writing. However, you may also consider alternatives like "subsequent to his leaving" or "following his departure" for a more sophisticated tone.