not only after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not only after" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a condition or timing related to something occurring after a specific event, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "Not only after the meeting did we realize the importance of the discussion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Highly recommended - and not only after a hiking tour.

The Guardian - Travel

But Ms. Dion's audience, which congregates online at celinedionforum.com, was not only after romance.

The New York Times - Arts

Children need independent, rigorous and engaging activities not only after school, but also during the summer.

The New York Times

Lower Manhattan is alive not only after work but also on nights and weekends.

The New York Times

In the Village, people lust not only after particular corners but also individual buildings.

The New York Times

Runoff and soil losses occurred not only after erosive rainstorms following a fire but also after a subsequent period of drought.

Geoderma

These data show that the transistors perform very well not only after bending but also while the strain is applied to the semiconducting channel.

Nature

It is not only after one possesses democratic institutions that one practices democracy, nor is democracy merely a set of institutions or mechanisms such as elections.

The Guardian

Andrew's involvement in the Clinton investigation came not only after the contributions were made to my campaign but also after the race was over.

The Washington Post

Therefore, evaluating the survival by counting colonies should be done not only after the typical appearance time of colonies but also several days later.

Nature

He was, she says, "the only person I know who corrected things not only after they'd been printed but after they'd been destroyed by the Nazis".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider replacing "not only after" with phrases like "immediately after" or "only after". This enhances readability and ensures your intended meaning is accurately conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "not only after" as it often creates an unnatural sentence structure. Rephrase to ensure the intended sequence of events is clear and grammatically sound. Consider using 'only after' or 'immediately after' instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only after" functions as a conjunction introducing a condition of time. It connects two events, indicating that the second event occurs not just following the first, but also in other situations. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase often leads to grammatically incorrect constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not only after" aims to express that an event occurs following a specific trigger, but also in other circumstances. Ludwig AI, however, identifies this construction as often leading to grammatical errors, suggesting it should be used cautiously. While frequently employed in Science, News & Media, and Academia, its register remains generally neutral. For clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives, consider using "immediately after" or "only after". When aiming to improve clarity, opt for more precise phrasing to convey your intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right after

Conveys immediacy, denoting something happens promptly following an event.

only following

Emphasizes the sequence, pinpointing an action occurs exclusively after an event.

directly following

Highlights the immediate sequence in a structured manner.

merely after

Indicates something happens just after a specific event, nothing more.

immediately subsequent to

Formal version emphasizing an action occurs without delay.

following directly from

Highlights a clear and immediate causal connection.

solely subsequent to

Adds formality, stressing that something happens exclusively after something else.

subsequent upon

Formal term indicating something ensues after an event.

just when

Highlights timing, implying an event occurs immediately at the specified moment.

post

A concise and formal way to indicate something happens after a specific event.

FAQs

What does "not only after" mean?

The phrase "not only after" is intended to express that something occurs after a particular event, but also in other circumstances. It's often used to emphasize that the event is not the sole trigger. For example, "The store is busy not only after work, but also on weekends."

How can I use "not only after" in a sentence?

While the construction can be grammatically awkward, "not only after" can be used to show that an event happens beyond a specific trigger. For example, consider rephrasing: "The effects were noticeable "only after" the changes, but also during the pilot phase."

What are some alternatives to "not only after"?

Alternatives include "immediately after", "only after", or rephrasing the sentence to use "both...and". For instance, instead of 'not only after the game but also the practice', try 'both after the game and after the practice'.

Is it better to use "only after" instead of "not only after"?

In most cases, yes. "Only after" is more direct and grammatically sound. "Not only after" is often misused and can create clumsy sentence structures. If you intend to convey something occurs in multiple scenarios, consider using "both...and" or restructuring the sentence entirely.