in wake of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in wake of" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to follow or occur as a result of something else, and is usually used to refer to events happening after a significant occurrence. For example, "The government instituted emergency measures in wake of the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

…of romantic melancholy, as in Wake of the Ferry (1907).

Britannica

Google has reportedly set up an "ethics board" in wake of the purchases but concerns remain.

Independent

But a number of critics have spoken out in wake of the decision.

Independent

Memorial for #TamirRice at Cudell Recreation Center grows in wake of grand jury decision.

Independent

In wake of offseason departures, Capitals needed young forwards to step up.

The Washington Post

Critics of Snyder called for the governor to resign in wake of the email disclosures.

The Guardian

The once-persecuted minority is increasingly visible and optimistic in wake of Mubarak's ouster.

The Washington Post

Democrats seek the right Obamacare message in wake of special election loss.

The Washington Post

Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich resigns in wake of backlash to Prop 8.

The Guardian - Tech

Fiat Chrysler recalls 1.4m vehicles in wake of Jeep hacking revelation.

The Guardian - Tech

And BA stands to receive a £100m compensation bill in wake of the mess.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in wake of" to clearly establish a cause-and-effect relationship between events. This phrase is particularly effective when describing the consequences of a significant event, such as a natural disaster, policy change, or major announcement.

Common error

Avoid using "in wake of" for minor or insignificant events. This phrase carries a sense of importance and should be reserved for situations where the initial event has substantial and noticeable consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in wake of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating causality or consequence. It connects an event with its direct aftermath, signifying that the subsequent action or situation arises directly because of the initial event, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in wake of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, academic writing, and general discourse. While alternatives like "following" or "as a result of" exist, "in wake of" carries a unique emphasis on the direct and significant consequences of an event. Remember to reserve its use for situations where the initial event has substantial and noticeable impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the aftermath of

Emphasizes the period immediately following a significant event, often with negative connotations.

As a result of

Focuses on the direct consequence of an event.

Due to

A simple and common way to express causality.

Because of

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship.

Resulting from

Similar to 'as a result of', but can be used to describe a more gradual effect.

Following

This is a shorter, more direct way of saying something happens after an event.

In consequence of

A more formal and less common alternative to "as a result of".

Subsequent to

A more formal way of indicating that something comes after another event.

Occurring after

A straightforward way to indicate the timing of an event relative to another.

On account of

Emphasizes the reason or justification for something happening.

FAQs

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

Use "in wake of" to indicate that an event or action is a direct result or consequence of a previous event. For example, "New safety regulations were implemented "in wake of" the recent accident."

What are some alternatives to "in wake of"?

You can use alternatives like "following", "as a result of", or "because of" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "in wake of"?

No, it's best to use "in wake of" when describing significant events and their direct consequences. For less significant events, simpler alternatives like "after" or "following" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "in wake of" and "in light of"?

"In wake of" implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship, while "in light of" suggests that new information or circumstances are being considered when making a decision or taking action.