after they left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after they left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time or event that occurs following someone's departure. Example: "The meeting continued for an hour after they left."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

After they left the drawing was missing.

The New Yorker

After they left, it was quiet.

The New Yorker

After they left, she swallowed the pills.

The New York Times - Magazine

After they left, Smith continued.

The New Yorker

The afterglow lasted long after they left.

The Guardian - Music

After they left, Ferriter got a call.

The Guardian

Mr. Gao was arrested four weeks after they left China.

The New York Times

After they left, my daughter still wouldn't come out.

The New York Times - Books

After they left she turned on her answering machine.

The New Yorker

But after they left their property was looted.

The New Yorker

After they left, Cain's warrior spirit drained away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after they left" to clearly establish a chronological sequence of events, ensuring the reader understands the order in which things happened. For instance, "After they left, the atmosphere in the room changed noticeably".

Common error

Avoid using "after they left" when you actually mean "while they were leaving" or "shortly before they left". Ensure the action described truly occurs after their departure, not during the process of leaving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after they left" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, indicating the time at which an action or event occurred. It introduces a temporal clause, specifying when something happened in relation to the departure of a group. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows numerous examples of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after they left" is a grammatically sound and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate the timing of an event in relation to a group's departure. It serves to establish chronological order and is acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, with the greatest frequency found in news and media. As validated by Ludwig, the phrase is used correctly in many different contexts. When writing, be mindful of its precise meaning to avoid misrepresenting the temporal relationship between events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following their leaving

Very similar, but uses the gerund form of "leave".

after their departure

A more formal and noun-focused alternative.

following their exit

Synonymous but slightly more formal, focusing on the act of exiting.

subsequent to their departure

More formal and emphasizes the point in time following the departure.

once they had gone

Emphasizes the completion of their leaving before the next event.

on their leaving

A more concise, though slightly less common, alternative.

when they were gone

More conversational, focusing on their absence.

with their exit

Emphasizes the moment of exit and what immediately follows.

in the wake of their leaving

More figurative, suggests consequences or effects following their departure.

post-departure

Concise and technical, often used in reports or analyses.

FAQs

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

Use "after they left" to indicate that something happened following someone's departure. For example, "After they left, the meeting was adjourned".

What are some alternatives to saying "after they left"?

You can use alternatives like "following their departure", "once they had gone", or "subsequent to their departure" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "following they left" instead of "after they left"?

No, "following they left" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "after they left" or "following their departure".

What's the difference between "after they left" and "when they left"?

"After they left" indicates a sequence where one event happens after another. "When they left" can refer to the moment of departure itself, or a period closely associated with it. The nuance depends on context.