well after

USAGE SUMMARY

"well after" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually means "long after" or "far after" and can be used to mean that something happened at a later time than expected. For example, "The storm subsided well after midnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Well after well, 6,000 or more.

The New York Times - Magazine

Well, after a fashion.

The New York Times

Starting well after the beginning, one invests.

The New Yorker

Its own people live well, after all.

The New Yorker

Well, after some sitting on the sofa.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The last match ended well after midnight.

The New Yorker

"Everything went well after that.

The Guardian - Sport

Well, after you've thrown up.

The Guardian - Music

We arrived back, exhilarated, well after midnight.

The Guardian

But it's now well after 10.

The Guardian - Travel

"I breathe well after fantastic training.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "well after", ensure the context clearly establishes the initial time or event being referenced. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the temporal relationship being described.

Common error

Avoid using "well after" when a slight delay is intended; phrases like "shortly after" or "immediately following" are more appropriate in such scenarios. "Well after" implies a significant duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well after" functions as a prepositional modifier, indicating a temporal relationship where an event occurs significantly later than a specified point in time. Ludwig's examples show it modifying verbs and nouns to express timing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well after" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that an event occurred significantly later than a specified time. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider the desired level of formality and the extent of the time delay. Always ensure that the context is clear to avoid any ambiguity about the timing of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much later than

Direct comparison, emphasizing the lateness of the event.

quite a bit later

Emphasizes the extent of the delay in an informal tone.

considerably later

Emphasizes a significant delay after the initial time.

considerably beyond

Implies exceeding a specific time or expectation.

significantly afterward

Highlights the importance or impact of the time difference.

appreciably after

Highlights that the delay is noticeable or measurable.

substantially following

A more formal alternative, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

noticeably subsequent to

A formal and precise alternative.

long past

Simple and direct, indicating a considerable time has elapsed.

a good while following

Informal and indicates a significant duration.

FAQs

How can I use "well after" in a sentence?

You can use "well after" to indicate that something occurred significantly later than a specific time or event. For example, "The movie finished "well after midnight"" or "The support continued "well after the war ended"".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "well after"?

Alternatives to "well after" include "considerably later", "long past", or "much later than depending on the context".

Is "well after" appropriate for formal writing?

While "well after" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "substantially following" or "noticeably subsequent to" might be preferred in academic or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "shortly after" and "well after"?

"Shortly after" implies a brief delay, whereas "well after" suggests a significant duration has passed. Using the correct phrase ensures clarity and accurately conveys the temporal relationship.