Meaning & use
after
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Meanings
preposition
Later than a particular time, event, or action.
Grammar: Used before a noun or pronoun: after lunch, after you.
Patterns
- after + noun
- after + pronoun
- after + verb-ing
We'll go for a walk after dinner.
She arrived just after three o'clock.
After finishing his homework, he watched TV.
preposition
Behind someone or something in place or order.
Grammar: Used to show position in a line or sequence: after me, after the letter B.
Patterns
- after + noun
- after + pronoun
The letter C comes after B.
You go first; I'll walk after you.
She sat after me in the row.
conjunction
At a time later than when something else happens.
Grammar: Joins two clauses: after she left, we cleaned up.
Patterns
- after + clause
- after + subject + verb
After she left, we cleaned up.
I'll call you after I get home.
He felt better after he had rested.
adverb
Later in time; afterward.
Grammar: Stands alone or after a verb: soon after, they arrived after.
Patterns
- soon after
- shortly after
- not long after
They moved to London and soon after found jobs.
She graduated in May and left shortly after.
We had dinner and went home after.
Common combinations
- after all
- I thought we'd miss the train, but we caught it after all.
- day after day
- He practiced day after day until he improved.
- one after another
- The students left the room one after another.
- after school
- The children play soccer after school.
- after a while
- After a while, the noise stopped.
Synonyms and how they differ
- following
- More formal and often used before a noun: following the meeting.
- later than
- A phrase that emphasizes the time difference: later than expected.
- behind
- Used for physical position, not time: behind the house.
Opposites
Commonly confused: after or afterwards?
after vs afterwards
Afterwards is an adverb meaning 'after that'; after can be a preposition, conjunction, or adverb.
Practice
Choose the correct word: We'll leave ___ the movie ends.
Choose one answer.
After fits because the leaving happens later than the movie's end. Before would reverse the order; during means at the same time; since means from a past point until now.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “after”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.