you were after

USAGE SUMMARY

"you were after" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express someone's intention or desire to obtain or achieve something. Example: "I noticed how focused you were during the meeting. What were you after? A promotion, perhaps?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Whereas when you type something on your phone, tablet or computer, it's much easier to modify your search to get the results you were after," he added.

TechCrunch

An unintended use is using is as a Q&A platform, and then finding the thing you were after, like asking "Who is the best Dentist in Berlin" and people disputing that and entering their suggestion.

TechCrunch

When they've finally done what you were after, dispose of the mess.

WikiHow

"He said you were after the money.

The New Yorker

So, that's the answer you were after.

The Guardian - Opinion

So if that's what you were after, you'd be satisfied.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"Remember what you're after," she said.

Los Angeles Times

"That's the feeling you are after".

The New York Times - Health

You are, after all, reading a newspaper.

The New York Times - Books

It depends what you're after.

The Guardian - Film

Whatever you're after, you'll get it.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you were after" to clearly indicate what someone was trying to obtain or achieve in a past scenario. For example: "If it was real stories "you were after", Fox Wars (BBC1) had rather more to offer."

Common error

Avoid using "you were after" in contexts where a future intention is needed. "You are after" or "you will be after" would be more appropriate for expressing future goals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you were after" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past intention, pursuit, or desire. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression, commonly found in various contexts to denote what someone was trying to achieve or obtain.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you were after" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express past intentions or desires. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests it fits well in news, media, and informal contexts. While less common in formal or scientific writing, it effectively conveys what someone was pursuing. Remember to use it to refer to past actions and avoid using it when expressing future desires. Consider alternatives like "you sought" or "you desired" for more formal tones. The phrase's communicative purpose is to clarify motivations or confirm outcomes align with objectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you were looking for

Uses a more direct and common way to express the act of searching.

you sought

Replaces the phrase with a more concise and formal verb, focusing on the act of seeking.

you desired

Emphasizes the element of wanting or wishing for something specifically.

you were trying to get

Focuses on the effort made to obtain something.

you aimed for

Highlights the intention or goal that someone was trying to achieve.

you pursued

Focuses on the active chasing or striving for a particular objective.

you were in pursuit of

Adds a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the chase.

you had in mind

Highlights the mental picture or intention one had.

what you were intending to find

Emphasizes the intention behind the search or pursuit.

that which you coveted

Introduces a sense of longing or intense desire.

FAQs

How can I use "you were after" in a sentence?

"You were after" indicates a past intention or pursuit. For example: "I hope that's the answer "you were after"."

What's a more formal way to say "you were after"?

More formal alternatives include "you sought", "you desired", or "you pursued", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider also "you aimed for".

Is "you were after" suitable for professional communication?

Yes, "you were after" is suitable for professional communication, especially when describing past objectives. It maintains a neutral tone and avoids colloquialism.

Can "you were after" be used in questions?

Yes, it can. For example: "Is this the result "you were after" when you started the project?"