after we ate

USAGE SUMMARY

This part of a sentence ("after we ate") is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to explain that an event happened after you finished eating. For example: "After we ate dinner, we decided to take a walk around the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

After we ate at the Chops Grille the next night, with its Chicago stockyards theme, and another day at Sorrento's pizzeria, with photos of Manhattan, I began to see that the Allure is an urban ship, a celebration of cities, a 24-hour dream of lights and movement and the power of being in the center.

The New York Times - Travel

After we ate, we would go to the living room, where Madiba sat in a special chair.

The New Yorker

After we ate, we met Patrick O'Connell and asked him to show the two of us his kitchen.

The New York Times

After we ate we walked along the calm winter Arabian Sea, so different from the summer's violent cascading waves.

The New York Times - Magazine

After we ate he sat with Carlos, drinking whiskey, while I helped my aunt in the kitchen.

The New Yorker

And after we ate and the stove cooled, we scrapped some ash from the hearth into a vial, and that's what we brought to the U.S. Bb Manhattan.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

After we eat your children.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

During recent visits, they've begun to offer myself and my guests complimentary limoncello after we eat.

The New York Times

:) After we eat, we might walk to an Apple Store.

TechCrunch

Researchers are still working on that answer, but it appears cravings may develop after we eat a combination of fats, carbohydrates, sugar, flavor and texture that's pleasurable.

Forbes

Will you join me in saying blessings before and after we eat?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after we ate" to clearly establish a sequence of events, ensuring the reader understands the timing of actions.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the clause introduced by "after we ate" as close as possible to the subject it modifies. For instance, instead of 'After we ate, the movie was enjoyable', write 'After we ate, we enjoyed the movie'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after we ate" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating when an action occurred in relation to finishing a meal. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and common in English writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after we ate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the timing of an action following a meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, be mindful of placement to avoid misplaced modifiers and maintain clarity. Consider alternatives like "following our meal" or "once we had finished eating" for stylistic variation, and be aware of the subtle difference between simple past and past perfect tenses. The phrase's versatility and straightforward meaning make it a reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after having eaten

More grammatically complex but conveys the same meaning.

following our meal

Uses a more formal tone and replaces the verb 'ate' with the noun 'meal'.

once we were done eating

Emphasizes the state of being finished with the meal.

once we had finished eating

Adds emphasis on the completion of the meal before the subsequent action.

subsequent to our dinner

More formal and emphasizes the sequence of events.

upon finishing our supper

Uses 'supper' instead of 'meal' or 'dinner', implying a more casual evening meal.

with the meal concluded

Highlights the completion of the meal as a condition for the next action.

post-meal

A concise and somewhat modern way to indicate 'after the meal'.

the meal being over

Uses a participial phrase to indicate the completion of the meal.

after our repast

Uses a more archaic and formal word for 'meal'.

FAQs

How can I use "after we ate" in a sentence?

Use "after we ate" to introduce an action that occurred following the completion of a meal. For example, "After we ate, we went for a walk".

What are some alternatives to "after we ate"?

You can use alternatives like "following our meal", "once we had finished eating", or "subsequent to our dinner", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "after we ate"?

Yes, "after we ate" is grammatically correct. It forms a dependent clause that indicates the timing of an event in relation to a meal.

What's the difference between "after we ate" and "after we had eaten"?

"After we ate" is simple past tense, while "after we had eaten" is past perfect tense. The past perfect emphasizes that the eating was completed before another action occurred, but in many cases, the simple past is sufficient and more common. Both are correct, but the choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.