after schools

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after schools" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to activities or events that occur following the end of the school day, but the correct expression would typically be "after school" in the singular form. Example: "The students gathered at the park after school to play soccer."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Pupils in several countries have lost cases after schools insisted they remove head scarves.

The New York Times

Reconciliation can only occur after schools and school systems address whiteness and actively move from non-racism to anti-racism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many say Wwasps was their only alternative after schools, public health systems, counseling and the courts failed them.

The New York Times

The Education Secretary said "decisive action" would be taken after schools inspector Ofsted issued a damning verdict on the running of a number of the schools.

Independent

After schools closed last week, men took their women and children to safety in the countryside before returning solo to vote.

The New York Times

"For a move to be made, a league needs or wants schools and then goes after schools that fill whatever their void is".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Meanwhile, pressure for places means catchment areas around sought-after schools are shrinking.

The Guardian

"Edward R. Murrow is one of our most sought-after schools, and we apologize for any confusion this caused".

The New York Times

But at some of the most-sought-after schools, a Level 3, which means that the student met the state's standards, is insufficient.

The New York Times

They had bought a home around the corner from Public School 107 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, one of the most sought-after schools in the city.

The New York Times

As a result, houses next to the most sought-after schools soared in value entrenching the schools as middle-class ghettoes and increasing their desirability still further.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. Use "after school" when you want to highlight programs and activities that happen after classes are finished for the day.

Common error

Avoid using the plural form "after schools". This phrasing is generally considered incorrect. Stick to "after school" to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, although often encountered, functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb. The accurate form is "after school". As Ludwig AI points out, the plural form violates standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "after schools" appears in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, the accurate form is "after school", used to describe events or activities following the end of the school day. The prevalence of "after schools" in news and media suggests it's a common error. Always use the singular form "after school" for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Consider alternatives like "post-school" or "after classes" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after school

Singular form corrects the grammatical error by using "school" as a noun modifier.

post-school

Uses a prefix to indicate "after school" or "following school."

after classes

Replaces "schools" with "classes", focusing on the academic sessions.

after lessons

Substitutes "schools" with "lessons", emphasizing the instructional period.

following school

Uses a present participle to indicate sequence.

subsequent to school

Employs a more formal prepositional phrase to convey "after school".

beyond the school day

Highlights activities extending past the regular school hours.

outside of school hours

Focuses on events taking place outside the typical school schedule.

extra-curricular

Describes activities not part of the standard academic curriculum.

out-of-school programs

Refers to organized programs occurring outside of the regular school setting.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "after schools"?

No, the grammatically correct phrase is "after school". "After schools" is generally considered incorrect in standard written English.

What is the difference between "after school" and "after schools"?

The phrase "after school" refers to activities or events happening at the end of the school day. The phrase "after schools" is generally incorrect, and sounds ungrammatical to native English speakers.

What can I say instead of "after schools"?

Use "after school", "post-school", or "after classes" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

How do I use "after school" in a sentence?

You can use "after school" to describe activities or events that happen when the school day ends. For example: "The students gathered at the park after school to play soccer."