in their wake

USAGE SUMMARY

"in their wake" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an effect left behind by something. For example, "The passing of the storm left destruction in its wake".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In their wake, gene pools often change.

The New York Times

Criminal disenfranchisement laws followed in their wake.

The New York Times

In their wake, public debt explodes.

The New York Times

In their wake are aspiring owner-occupants.

The New York Times

The cameras followed in their wake.

The Guardian

I scuttle along in their wake.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those who leave destruction in their wake.

The Guardian

Spanish bonds are following in their wake.

The Guardian - Business

They bring ideas in their wake.

The Guardian - Books

Even successful battles leave casualties in their wake.

The Economist

A woman's breasts create turbulence in their wake.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their wake" to vividly describe the direct consequences or results that follow an action, event, or person's passage. This phrase is effective in both formal and informal contexts to add depth to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "in their wake" when describing general or indirect effects. This phrase is most impactful when highlighting the immediate and noticeable outcomes directly linked to the preceding action or event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their wake" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by describing the resulting state or consequences that follow an action or event. Ludwig shows it's frequently used to describe the impact left behind.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in their wake" is a prepositional phrase used to describe the consequences or results that follow an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media, but also in science and formal contexts. It is a versatile phrase, suitable for neutral and slightly formal registers. When writing, consider using "in the aftermath of" as an alternative, and avoid using it for general or indirect effects. As Ludwig examples show, this phrase is very useful to highlight the impact left behind, particularly when describing immediate outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the aftermath of their presence

This emphasizes the period after someone was there, often implying negative consequences.

as a consequence of their actions

This explicitly states the cause-and-effect relationship, making it more direct.

the repercussions of their activity

Emphasizes the often negative effects of someone's actions.

following behind them

This alternative focuses on the physical act of following, whereas the original implies consequence.

the consequences of their journey

Highlights the results of a journey or series of actions.

resulting from their passage

This implies a more passive occurrence of events following someone's movement.

what followed after they left

A more descriptive and less idiomatic way of conveying the same meaning.

on the heels of their departure

This suggests something closely following in time, immediately after they leave.

the effects succeeding their visit

This is a more literal and less nuanced way of saying the same thing.

subsequent to their movement

More formal and emphasizes the temporal sequence of events.

FAQs

How can I use "in their wake" in a sentence?

You can use "in their wake" to describe the consequences or results that follow an event or action. For example, "The hurricane left devastation in their wake".

What's a more formal way to say "in their wake"?

A more formal alternative to "in their wake" could be "as a consequence of their actions" or "subsequent to their movement".

What can I say instead of "in their wake" if I want to emphasize negative consequences?

If you want to emphasize negative consequences, you might use "in the aftermath of" or "the repercussions of" instead of "in their wake".

Is "in its wake" the same as "in their wake"?

"In its wake" refers to the consequences of a singular entity or event, while "in their wake" refers to the consequences of multiple entities or actions. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a singular or plural subject.