was after which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was after which" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where a sequence of events is being described, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The event was after which the decision was made."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I'm more pleased with the fact that I got what I was after, which wasn't money, but an apology from the church," Mr. Fisher, 40, said by telephone.

The New York Times

"I liked what Jim was after, which was this sort of antidote to action-driven movies".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He has no idea which bacteria he's after – which will bring C diff under control.

The Guardian

Maximum bone development ends in one's 20's, after which bone loss gradually begins to exceed bone formation.

The New York Times - Health

Widnes coach Denis Betts: "I think Widnes fans saw some of the things we're after, which is enthusiasm and effort.

BBC

Briefly, dams were removed from the litter at 10 00 am, after which the pups were weighed and returned to their home cage.

BioMed Research International

It will help her to see precisely what you are after, which is always easier than trying to describe it in words.

WikiHow

DAPI was added, after which cells were washed, chambers were detached from the slide, and cells were mounted and covered.

BMC Cancer

A drain was applied intraarticularly, and closure was performed, after which the tourniquet was deflated.

Acta Orthopaedica

Her mother died when she was 11, after which she was raised primarily by her grandmother.

The Guardian

Endotracheal intubation was performed after which anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane.

Small Ruminant Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Rephrase sentences to avoid using "was after which" entirely. For example, instead of "The meeting was after which the decision was made", try "The decision was made after the meeting".

Common error

Avoid inserting "was after which" into sentences where a simple chronological connector would suffice. This often leads to convoluted and less effective writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was after which" functions as a relative clause, attempting to connect two events in a chronological sequence. However, it's grammatically awkward and stylistically poor, and not advisable. Ludwig AI suggests rephrasing for clarity and better flow.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was after which" is grammatically awkward and stylistically undesirable. It aims to connect events in a chronological order but fails to do so effectively. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered incorrect and has no occurrences in reliable sources. Instead, opt for clearer and more direct alternatives such as "followed by", "subsequently", or "after that" to ensure your writing is both precise and readable. Avoid using "was after which" to prevent convoluted sentence structures and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after that

A simple and direct alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

then

A very concise way to indicate the next step in a sequence.

followed by

This alternative offers a more concise and direct way to indicate a sequence of events, emphasizing what comes next.

afterward

Similar to "after that" but slightly more formal and concise.

subsequently

Implies that something happens later or as a result of something else, providing a smoother transition.

thereafter

Indicates a point in time following a specific event, offering a more formal tone.

as a result

Clearly indicates a cause-and-effect relationship between events.

at which point

Highlights a specific moment when the subsequent action occurs.

consequently

Emphasizes the result or effect of the preceding action.

upon which

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to indicate a sequence.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "was after which"?

You can use alternatives like "followed by", "subsequently", or "after that" to improve clarity and flow.

Why is "was after which" considered grammatically awkward?

The phrase "was after which" often creates convoluted sentences and is less direct than simpler alternatives. It is generally better to rephrase for improved readability.

In what contexts should I avoid using "was after which"?

Avoid using "was after which" in both formal and informal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives in all contexts to ensure effective communication.

How can I rephrase a sentence that includes "was after which"?

Instead of "The event was after which the decision was made", try "The decision was made after the event" or "The event was followed by the decision".