when after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when after" isn't correct or usable in written English.
Instead, you may use "after" followed by a noun or by a clause. Example: After last night's storm, the town was a mess.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

When, after many years, the raptor beak.

The New Yorker

And that's when, after I said that, then I realised.

Independent

Katy when after she can't get nettle soup.

The New Yorker

The idea was born when, after sampling a Ste.

The New York Times

She should have moved 20... Ng6, when after 21fe7 Blackack would have been fine.

The New York Times

When, after an hour's break in the canteen, we returned, the floor had been scrubbed clean.

Independent

My plan was thwarted when, after only six weeks, I fell for Giovanni.

The New York Times

The episode concludes when, after several embarrassing attempts to learn 10 Spanish sentences, Don Vito fails.

Independent

Mr. McCarthy knew he'd gotten it right when, after a screening, his star approached him.

The New York Times

When, after a third charge, these "savages" drop dead from a chemical spray, the audience objects.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The blue line marks when after-hours trading began.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, consider stronger connecting words like 'subsequently' to improve the flow and precision of your writing.

Common error

Many writers incorrectly use "when after" believing it adds emphasis to the timing of events. However, it creates redundancy. Using "after" alone is sufficient and more grammatically sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when after" functions as an attempted temporal conjunction, aiming to link two events in time. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the construction is grammatically unsound and redundant. Standard English prefers using "after" alone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

26%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when after" is a common but grammatically incorrect construction used to indicate a sequence of events. As Ludwig AI points out, standard English prefers using "after" alone. Despite its frequent appearance in various sources, including news and academic contexts, its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal writing. It's advisable to use alternatives like "after", "following which", or "subsequently" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness. While the phrase's prevalence might suggest acceptability, opting for grammatically sound options enhances the precision and professionalism of your writing. Therefore, avoid using the phrase "when after".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after

This is the simplest and most direct replacement, omitting "when" for better grammatical flow.

immediately after

Highlights the lack of delay between two events.

shortly after

Implies that the second event happened soon after the first.

subsequently

Focuses on the sequence of events, emphasizing that one event follows another.

following which

A more formal way to indicate a sequence of events, often used in written English.

upon

Implies something happens immediately as a result.

once

Indicates that something happens at the point after a condition is met.

in the aftermath of

Suggests a period following a significant event.

at the time when

More verbose but grammatically correct, emphasizing simultaneity.

in due course

Suggests that something will happen after a reasonable amount of time.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "after" to replace "when after"?

Simply use "after" followed by the event or time. For example, instead of "when after the game, we ate", say "after the game, we ate".

What alternatives exist for "when after" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using "following which" or "subsequently" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "when after" ever considered grammatically correct?

No, "when after" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's best to use a single, clear conjunction like "after" instead.

How does "when after" differ from just using "after"?

Using "when after" is redundant; the "when" adds no additional meaning and makes the sentence less clear. "After" alone is sufficient to indicate the sequence of events.