he is after

USAGE SUMMARY

"he is after" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It generally means to seek, pursue, or actively work towards a goal. For example, "He is after the promotion, so he's been working extra hard lately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is, after all, Belgian.

The Economist

He is, after all, 21.

The New York Times

He is after bigger game.

The New York Times - Books

He is, after all, "a straight shooter".

The New York Times

He is, after all, an entertainer.

Independent

He is, after all, a deal maker.

The New Yorker

He is, after all, my good dog.

The New York Times

He is, after all, Tiger Woods.

The New Yorker

He is, after all, no fanatic.

The New Yorker

He is, after all, just a kid.

The New York Times - Arts

He is, after all, Zulfi Bhutto's son".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is after" when you want to convey a sense of pursuit, whether it's a tangible object, a goal, or information. The phrase is versatile and easily understood in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he is after" when you mean "later". For example, "He arrived after the meeting" is correct, while "He is after the meeting" implies he is pursuing the meeting itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is after" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating pursuit or intention. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where someone is actively seeking a goal, object, or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is after" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate pursuit or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and understood. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives like "he is pursuing" or "he is seeking" exist, "he is after" remains a common and effective choice. Remember to use it to describe active pursuit, not to indicate temporal sequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is pursuing

This alternative replaces "after" with "pursuing", emphasizing a more active chase.

he is seeking

Replaces "after" with "seeking", which implies a more deliberate search.

he is trying to get

This phrase is more verbose but conveys the same meaning of attempting to obtain something.

he is in pursuit of

This is a more formal way of saying someone is chasing or seeking something.

he is aiming for

This suggests a target or goal that someone is trying to reach.

he is working towards

This emphasizes the effort being put into achieving a particular outcome.

he desires

A simpler, more direct way of saying someone wants something.

he is hunting for

Implies a vigorous search, often for something elusive.

he is on the lookout for

Suggests that someone is actively watching for a particular opportunity or thing.

he is fishing for

Implies a subtle attempt to gain information or elicit a response.

FAQs

How can I use "he is after" in a sentence?

You can use "he is after" to indicate that someone is pursuing something, for example, "He is after a promotion at work" or "He is after the truth about the situation".

What can I say instead of "he is after"?

You can use alternatives like "he is pursuing", "he is seeking", or "he is trying to get" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he is after to get" instead of "he is after"?

No, "he is after to get" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "he is after" or, alternatively, "he is trying to get".

What's the difference between "he is after" and "he looks after"?

"He is after" means he is pursuing or seeking something, while "he looks after" means he is taking care of someone or something. They have completely different meanings.