after retreating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after retreating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that occurs following a retreat or withdrawal from a position or situation. Example: "The troops regrouped after retreating to a safer location."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

But after retreating to his private room in the hospital, close aides have written, he wept.

The New York Times - Health

"People say, 'Now come on, Lenny, what's so big about an annuity?' " he told me, after retreating to his office.

The New Yorker

The greatest triumph of oilfield firefighters came in 1991 after retreating Iraqi troops set fire to 700 of Kuwait's 1,000 oil wells.

The New York Times

His second album in three years, after retreating from the public eye in 2004, it was one of the best-reviewed records of his career.

Independent

"Oh, God, Sarah, there's so much yelling," Zeek said to his daughter, after retreating from the dining-room table, in last week's episode.

The New Yorker

But after retreating to talk quietly to yet another armed man, the older man turned and waved angrily in the direction of the open desert.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Not expecting this, Amompharetus eventually led his men after the retreating Spartans.

Wikipedia

All but Caesar replied in the affirmative and Howe pushed his ships after the retreating French.

Wikipedia

The Allied 4th Division and parts of the 2nd went after the retreating French, leading Beresford to exclaim "Stop!

Wikipedia

When Homer leaves the Simpsons' house the next morning, a frustrated Marge throws a croquet mallet after his retreating taxicab.

Wikipedia

The tributary systems are relatively young, having formed after retreat of the Wisconsinan ice sheet, and are rapidly evolving in response to a base level fall of nearly 70 m–13,400 YBP.

Geomorphology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after retreating" to clearly indicate a sequence of events where a retreat or withdrawal precedes another action or state. It's particularly useful when the retreat is a significant event that influences the subsequent action.

Common error

Avoid using "after retreating" if the retreat is not directly related to the following action. Ensure a clear causal or temporal connection between the retreat and the subsequent event to maintain clarity and logical flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after retreating" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a temporal relationship. It modifies a verb or clause, specifying when an action occurred in relation to the act of retreating. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after retreating" functions as a prepositional phrase that indicates a temporal sequence. The examples provided by Ludwig confirm its common usage across various contexts, including news, wiki articles, and scientific publications. Ludwig AI has identified the phrase as grammatically correct. While alternatives exist, "after retreating" provides a clear and concise way to express the timing of events following a withdrawal, making it a versatile and useful addition to one's writing arsenal. Its register is generally neutral, leaning towards formal, making it appropriate for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following withdrawal

Emphasizes the act of withdrawing and the subsequent action. Changes the verb to a noun.

subsequent to retreat

More formal, using 'subsequent' to indicate what happens next. Changes 'after' to 'subsequent to'.

once having retreated

Highlights the completion of the retreating action before the next event. Adds emphasis on the completion of the retreat.

in the wake of retreat

Focuses on the aftermath or consequences of the retreat. Uses a more figurative expression.

on retreating

More concise, directly linking the action of retreating to the subsequent event. Simplifies the sentence structure.

post-retreat

A shorter, more modern phrasing implying events occurring after a retreat. It uses a compound adjective to suggest something happened after the retreat.

coming back from retreat

Focuses on the return or recovery following a retreat, adding a nuance of restoration or renewal. Highlights the act of returning instead of the action of retreating.

later than retreat

Uses a direct comparison to signify the order of occurrence. The change is in replacing 'after' with 'later than'.

upon the heels of retreat

A more dramatic, figurative phrase suggesting immediacy after the retreat. Adds intensity and vividness.

withdrawing and then

Breaks down the action into two steps emphasizing the sequence of events. Highlights each action as individual steps.

FAQs

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

You can use "after retreating" to show a sequence of actions, where something happens following a withdrawal. For example, "After retreating, the troops regrouped and planned their next move".

What are some alternatives to "after retreating"?

Some alternatives include "following withdrawal", "subsequent to retreat", or "once having retreated" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it more appropriate to use "after retreating" or "following the retreat"?

Both "after retreating" and "following the retreat" are correct. "After retreating" is more concise, while "following the retreat" may be preferred in formal writing for its slightly more elaborate structure.

What's the difference between "after retreating" and "before advancing"?

"After retreating" describes events that occur after a withdrawal, while "before advancing" describes conditions or preparations prior to an advance. They represent opposite phases of a tactical maneuver.