first after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first after" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate something that comes immediately after the first in a sequence, but it is not commonly used. Example: "She was the first after the original winner to cross the finish line."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

His slogan is "America first," after all.

The Washington Post

Another first: after the prayers, the two men fondly embraced.

The Economist

The loss was Kentucky's first, after 10 wins.

The New York Times - Sports

Or who gets to the beer first after the game".

The New York Times - Sports

He talked to Corey first, after his mother's funeral.

The New Yorker

Javier Zanetti scored the first after just 68 seconds.

Independent

Mr. Laffer shot Mr. Ferguson first after a brief conversation.

The New York Times

First, after 1926 the types of innovation peaked coincidentally.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

My first after-work drinks, a senior RM grabbed my ass.

Huffington Post

ONE SECOND AFTER, by William R. Forstchen.

The New York Times

He entered seconds after the judging ended.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first after", ensure that the context clearly establishes a sequence or order of events to avoid ambiguity. Consider rewording with alternatives like "immediately following" or "subsequent to" for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "first after" when there is no clear chronological or logical sequence established. This can lead to confusion about which event is being referenced as the initial point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first after" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating temporal sequence. It specifies when an event occurs in relation to a preceding one. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts to denote immediate succession.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first after" serves as an adverbial modifier, indicating a chronological sequence between events, with a strong emphasis on temporal proximity. Although considered acceptable by Ludwig, it may benefit from more precise alternatives like "immediately following" or "subsequent to", especially for improving clarity. The phrase sees common usage across news, scientific, and academic writing, maintaining a generally neutral register. Despite its prevalence, writers should ensure its usage clearly establishes a logical sequence and avoid ambiguity. As Ludwig AI itself suggests, attention to context is crucial for accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately following

Emphasizes the temporal proximity, suggesting that something happens directly after the initial event.

right after

Similar to 'immediately following', but with a slightly less formal tone.

directly succeeding

Highlights the sequential nature, indicating a clear order of succession.

subsequent to

A more formal way of indicating that something happens after a specific event.

the moment after

Focuses on the immediate timing, emphasizing the closeness in time.

following directly from

Implies a causal relationship, suggesting that the second event is a direct result of the first.

in the wake of

Suggests that the second event follows as a consequence or result of the first.

next up after

Indicates the order in a list or sequence of events.

on the heels of

Suggests that the second event closely follows the first, often implying urgency or momentum.

post

A concise way to indicate something that occurs after a specified event or time.

FAQs

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

You can use "first after" to indicate something that happens immediately following an initial event, such as "He spoke "first after" the president" or "It happened "first after" the bell rang."

What are some alternatives to saying "first after"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "immediately following", "directly succeeding", or "subsequent to".

Is "first after" grammatically correct?

While not always the most elegant phrasing, "first after" is generally acceptable in contexts where the sequence is clear. However, using alternatives can often improve clarity and style.

In what contexts is "first after" most appropriate?

"First after" is often used in news, science, and academic writing to describe the timing of events in a chronological order. For example, "The data was collected "first after" the experiment" or "The bill was introduced "first after" the recess."