but really after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but really after" is not standard and may be confusing in written English.
It could be used in informal contexts where someone is trying to emphasize a point that follows a previous statement, but clarity may be lost. Example: "I thought I wanted to go out, but really after thinking about it, I prefer to stay in."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Try to jot some observations from last night, but, really, after I started dialling ex-girlfriends it's all a black hole.

The New Yorker

I know that sounds stupid, but really, after the two-year build-up to the race, the meticulous kit preparation, and the hours and hours of relentless training in the endless winter, the event itself seemed to be over in a flash.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I feel good, but really, after the type of regular season we had, we really expected to win this series," Ramos said after the MetroStars eliminated the Burn on the strength of two goals by forward Clint Mathis and a tenacious defense.

The New York Times - Sports

During a maintenance work within the niche where the Hobo 10, 12 and 13 data-loggers were located, a painting came to light that restorers defined "frescoe" but really after our investigation it was found to be a "mural painting in tempera".

Heritage Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But what you're really after is instant gratification — and an excuse to spend above your means.

The New York Times

But what we are really after is an understanding of the percentage of Democratic voters who support each candidate.

Huffington Post

I found that most of the vegetables benefited from time in the brine; they were tasty after even a few hours, but really infused after five days.

The New York Times - Health

Agamemnon can almost be imagined twirling a villain's mustache as he proclaims his imperial enterprise -- explicitly stating that he could not care less about Helen but really lusted after power and territory.

The New York Times

National coverage increased somewhat the week of March 12, but really intensified only after March 16, when tapes of 911 calls were released, showing that Mr. Zimmerman had been told by a dispatcher that he did not need to follow Trayvon.

The New York Times

The plan is to revisit the places they've lived, but really he is desperate, after all these years, to connect with his son, to know him better.

The New York Times

"But really disciplinary proceedings are after the event, staff have already suffered.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "however" or "nevertheless" if a more formal tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "but really after" in formal or academic writing. It can sound too conversational and detract from the seriousness of your argument. Instead, opt for more precise and sophisticated transitions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but really after" functions as a conjunction phrase that introduces a contrast or qualification to a preceding statement, often with an implication of time or sequence. It's used to emphasize a point that follows a previous consideration, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but really after" functions as a conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrasting or clarifying statement, often with an implication of time or sequence. Ludwig AI suggests that it's grammatically acceptable, though leaning towards informal. Its primary purpose is to signal a change in perspective following some consideration. While it appears mostly in news and media contexts, it's less common in formal academic writing. Consider using stronger or more formal alternatives like "however subsequently" for more polished writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but in reality after

Replaces "really" with "in reality" for a more formal tone.

but actually after

Substitutes "really" with "actually", conveying a sense of truth or fact.

but genuinely after

Replaces "really" with "genuinely" to emphasize sincerity.

however, subsequently

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal transition.

yet, following that

Uses "yet" to show contrast and "following that" to indicate sequence.

though, in the aftermath

Employs "though" to signal a contrast and "in the aftermath" to specify time.

but indeed after

Substitutes "really" with "indeed" to add emphasis.

nonetheless, later on

Replaces the phrase with a more formal and descriptive alternative.

but truly after

Replaces "really" with "truly" to emphasize authenticity.

despite that, thereafter

Uses "despite that" to indicate concession and "thereafter" to show time.

FAQs

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

You can use "but really after" to introduce a statement that contrasts with or clarifies a previous one, often with a sense of time or sequence. For example, "I thought I wanted pizza, but really after considering my diet, I chose a salad".

What are some alternatives to "but really after"?

Alternatives include "however, subsequently", "yet, following that", or "but in reality after", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "but really after" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "but really after" can sound informal and somewhat awkward. It's generally better to use more precise and polished phrasing, especially in formal writing.

What is the difference between "but really after" and "but then"?

"But then" typically indicates a shift or change in circumstances. "But really after" implies a deeper consideration or a sequence of events that leads to a different conclusion. Depending on your purpose, you can also consider phrases such as "however subsequently" or "yet, following that".