after he refuses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after he refuses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a sequence of events where something occurs following a refusal by a male subject. Example: "The meeting will proceed after he refuses to sign the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Two days after, he refuses his food.

The New Yorker

The first signs that he is untrainable come when an imperious dog trainer (Kathleen Turner) abruptly rejects him after he refuses to obey, and a potentially uproarious comic encounter between human and beast is thrown away.

The New York Times

An American soldier who performed two tours in Iraq is denied promotion when his superiors learn he is an atheist, after he refuses to pray during Thanksgiving dinner (pdf).

The Guardian - Opinion

A South African college professor who is fired after he refuses to apologize for raping a student, Mr. Lurie endures a series of traumatic events (represented by the knifelike cuts) that produce temporary changes in his perception, but he continues to believe that women have a natural responsibility to excite and bear male passion.

The New York Times

The cause of the crisis was an unhappy love affair with a Bletchley filing clerk named Claire Romilly Saffron Burrowss), who is shown in flashbacks (apparently shot through a filter made of honey) cavorting with the better-shaven, less hangdog Tom and then throwing him over after he refuses to let her see some math problems he's been working on.

The New York Times

We hear – don't see, because the man involved is too ill to consent, and his words are spoken by an actor – the sound of one of the patients being wrestled to the ground and manhandled back into his room after he refuses to leave the yard, in which the most dangerous inmates are being allowed to exercise one at a time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

After he refused, they stabbed him once in the abdomen.

The New York Times

Tony was euthanized Tuesday after he refused food and appeared to be disoriented.

The New York Times

Another officer shot Mr. van Reid after he refused orders to drop it.

The New York Times

She said she filed her complaints after he refused to get counseling.

The New York Times - Sports

After he refused to apologise to Domenech, the FFF expelled him from the squad.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after he refuses", ensure the subsequent clause logically follows the act of refusal. For example, "After he refuses to cooperate, legal action will be taken."

Common error

Avoid using "after he refuses" if the subsequent event is not a direct result of his refusal. Instead, consider using "although he refuses" or "despite his refusal" if the events are not causally linked.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after he refuses" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies the time or condition under which the main clause occurs. This indicates that the action in the main clause takes place following the refusal. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after he refuses" serves as a causal connector, indicating that an event follows a male subject's act of refusal. As validated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "once he declines" or "following his rejection" can offer nuanced variations, it’s important to ensure the logical connection between the refusal and subsequent event. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for a range of communication, though careful attention should be paid to the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once he declines

Replaces "refuses" with "declines", offering a slightly more formal tone.

following his rejection

Nominalizes the refusal, changing the sentence structure to use a possessive pronoun and noun.

subsequent to his denial

Uses more formal vocabulary like "subsequent" and "denial".

when he declines

Replaces "after" with "when", shifting the emphasis to the timing of the refusal.

if he rejects

Uses "if" instead of "after", presenting the refusal as a condition.

on his refusal

Uses the preposition "on" to indicate the basis or reason for something happening.

after he declines the offer

Adds "the offer" to specify what is being refused.

once he has refused

Changes the tense to present perfect, emphasizing the completed action of refusing.

in the wake of his refusal

Uses a more dramatic and formal phrase to indicate what happens after the refusal.

as a result of his refusal

Highlights the causal relationship between the refusal and the subsequent event.

FAQs

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

You can use "after he refuses" to indicate a sequence of events following a male subject's refusal. For example, "After he refuses to comply, the authorities will intervene."

What can I say instead of "after he refuses"?

You can use alternatives like "once he declines", "following his rejection", or "subsequent to his denial" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "after he refuses"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is a causal connector, indicating a sequence where an event follows a refusal.

What's the difference between "after he refuses" and "although he refuses"?

"After he refuses" indicates that something happens as a result of the refusal, while "although he refuses" implies that something happens despite the refusal. They have opposite meanings.