but after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but after" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a contrasting idea or event that occurs after something else. Example: "I was hesitant to try the new restaurant, but after reading rave reviews, I decided to give it a chance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The New Yorker

The New York Times

The Economist

The Guardian

BBC

Forbes

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But after last night.

Independent

But after, of course.

Independent

But after Wednesday's performance?

The New York Times - Sports

But after hours?

The New York Times

But after that?

The New York Times - Sports

But after chants of "Ali!

The New York Times

But after the Facebook C.O.O.

The New Yorker

"But, after Nazarbayev, who knows".

The New Yorker

But after a decent interval?

The Economist

"But after that, who knows?

The Guardian - Sport

But after all the N.Y.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but after", ensure that the two clauses connected present a clear contrast or unexpected outcome. This makes your writing more engaging and informative.

Common error

Avoid using "but after" when the contrast and subsequent event aren't clearly linked in time. This can create confusion and weaken the logical flow of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but after" functions as a conjunction phrase, linking two clauses where the second clause introduces a contrasting element that occurs sequentially after the first. Ludwig's examples illustrate this in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

The New Yorker

10%

The New York Times

5%

Less common in

The Economist

4%

The Guardian

3%

BBC

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but after" is a grammatically correct and very common conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrast that occurs sequentially. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While versatile, it's essential to ensure a clear temporal link and a genuine contrast between the connected clauses. Though widely accepted, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing. Its frequent presence in news and media highlights its role in reporting evolving situations and shifting perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, following that

Replaces 'but' with 'however' and 'after' with 'following that', adding a more formal tone.

yet subsequently

Uses 'yet' as a contrasting conjunction and 'subsequently' to indicate a following event.

though thereafter

Employs 'though' for contrast and 'thereafter' to signify a point in time after a specific event.

nonetheless, in the aftermath

Combines 'nonetheless' for contrast with 'in the aftermath' to indicate a period following an event.

despite that, later on

Uses 'despite that' to introduce a contrast and 'later on' to point to a subsequent time.

even so, proceeding from there

Employs 'even so' to present a contrast and 'proceeding from there' to indicate a progression.

still, in due course

Replaces 'but' with 'still' and 'after' with 'in due course', suggesting an eventual occurrence.

conversely, in the wake of

Uses 'conversely' to highlight a contrast and 'in the wake of' to denote what follows an event.

on the other hand, subsequently

Employs 'on the other hand' to introduce a contrasting point and 'subsequently' to indicate the following action.

however, down the line

Combines 'however' for contrast with 'down the line' to refer to a later time.

FAQs

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

Use "but after" to connect two clauses where the second clause presents a contrast to the first and occurs later in time. For example, "I was hesitant, but after trying it, I loved it."

What are some alternatives to "but after"?

You can use alternatives like "however, following that", "yet subsequently", or "though thereafter" depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "but after" and "and after"?

"But after" implies a contrast or unexpected outcome following an initial situation, while "and after" simply indicates a sequence of events without necessarily implying contrast.

Can I start a sentence with "but after"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "but after" can sometimes sound informal. Consider rephrasing for a more formal tone, such as "However, following that...".