5 Facts On After As Conjunction: When, How, Examples

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The words that connect two clauses to produce a sentence are known as conjunctions. Let us look at how the conjunction “after” can be employed.

The conjunction “After” is used to convey a period of time that follows a previous event that had taken place.

In order to better understand the above-mentioned facts, let us look at a few examples:

Sl. No.ExamplesExplanations
1.I took a long and relaxing bath after having a long and hard day.Given that it joins two clauses together, the word “after” is regarded as a conjunction in this sentence.
2.I plan on taking a gap year after high school is done.The conjunction “after” has been used to join the two clauses as seen in this example.
Examples of “After” as a Conjunction.

Now let us look into a few additional examples and facts behind it.

When is “after” a conjunction?

Let us look at the occasions when the conjunction “after” is used.

When it joins two clauses together, the word “after” is referred to be a conjunction.

Here are a few examples of it in action:

Sl. No.ExamplesExplanations
3.The rules of hide and seek are looking for people in small places after counting till a hundred.  When the second clause uses the conjunction “after” to offer additional information, the first clause makes more sense.
4.She fed the dog a good meal after petting him.The word “after” serves as a connecting element between the first and second clauses, making it a conjunction.
5.My grandfather finally retired from his company after forty years of service at that place.Here, the word “after” functions as a conjunction, allowing the second clause to expand on the ideas presented in the first.
6.We slept in until late morning after last night’s tiring party.The conjunction “after” has been used to join the two clauses as seen in this example.
Examples of “After” as a Conjunction.

Is “after” always a conjunction?

Let us check to see if “after” is always a conjunction.

There are other uses for the word “after.” Depending on the context, it can frequently serve as an adverb, preposition and sometimes as an adjective as well.

Let us look at some examples where the word “after” is not being utilised as a conjunction.

Sl. No.Grammatical FormExamplesExplanations
7.PrepositionThe boss opened the door for his employed went in after them.In its prepositional form the word “after” is always followed by a noun, as is the case here.
8.AdverbWe had just shut our shop for the day and a customer emerged right after.As seen here, the word “after”, in its adverbial form is always found at the end of the sentence.
9.AdjectiveHe had many regrets in the after years.When “after” is positioned in front of a noun in a way to describe it, in this case “party” it happens to be deemed as an adjective.
Examples of “After” as a Preposition, Adverb and Adjective.

When is “after” not considered as conjunction?

Let us look at some examples of the word “after” being employed in grammatical constructs other than conjunctions.

When it is not being used to connect two sentences, “after” would not be regarded as a conjunction. It can also function as an adverb, preposition or adjective depending on the context and where it is used in the phrase.

The word “after” is used in a handful of the examples below in contexts other than conjunctions.

Sl. No.Grammatical FormExamplesExplanations
10.PrepositionMy mother and I usually go for morning walks after breakfast.The word “after” is always followed by a noun in its prepositional form, as it is shown in this sentence.
11.AdverbThe husband and their son left our house and his wife and daughter left soon after.As can be seen, the word “after,” when used as an adverb, always appears at the end of a sentence.
12.AdjectiveWe still have an after party to go to.When “after” is positioned in front of a noun in a way to describe it, in this case “party” it happens to be deemed as an adjective.
Examples of “After” as a Preposition, Adverb and Adjective.

What kind of conjunction is the word “after”?

As with other conjunctions, “after” falls under a certain category; let us look.

Given that it connects the subordinating clause to the main sentence, “after” comes under the subtype of subordinating conjunction.

Here are several examples of the word “after” being used as a subordinate conjunction.

Sl. No.ExamplesExplanations
13.The groom and bride will play some fun games after the wedding ceremony was over.As it aids in uniting the subordinating clause with the main clause, the word “after” can be considered a subordinating conjunction.
14.Tia will finish her homework after a long nap.In this instance, the subordinating clause is unintelligible on its own and requires a subordinating conjunction to connect it to the dependent sentence, such as “after.”
Examples of “After” as a Conjunction.

Why is “after” a subordinating conjunction?

Let us look more closely at the justifications for the subcategorization of the conjunction “after.”

“After” as a conjunction connects a dependent clause, to the independent clause, hence making it a subordinating conjunction.

Let us look at some additional instances of how the word “after” connects sentences.

Sl. No.ExamplesExplanations
15.The family will be coming over for dinner to our house after a couple of days from now.The conjunction “after” has been used to join the two clauses as seen in this example.
16.Everybody was extremely tired after the long trekking vacation we took.When the second clause uses the conjunction “after” to offer additional information, the first clause makes more sense and makes the said conjunction a subordinating conjunction.
Examples of “After” as a Conjunction.

Examples of “after” as conjunctions

Below are a five examples of the word “after” used as conjunction.

Sl. No.ExamplesExplanations
17.They asked for another appetizer after the dessert was over.Here, the word “after” functions as a conjunction, allowing the second clause to expand on the ideas presented in the first.
18.My father usually feels quite sleepy after eating lunch.The word “after” serves as a connecting element between the first and second clauses, making it a conjunction.
19.You are supposed to take a left after the first shop you see.When the second clause uses the conjunction “after” to offer additional information, the first clause makes more sense and makes the said conjunction a subordinating conjunction.
20.The infant finally went off to sleep after crying all day.Given that it joins two clauses together, the word “after” is regarded as a conjunction in this sentence.
21.She was finally able to attend her dream college after working so hard.When the second clause uses the conjunction “after” to offer additional information, the first clause makes more sense and makes the said conjunction a subordinating conjunction.
Examples of “After” as a Conjunction.

Conclusion

It is therefore evident that the word “after” has a variety of grammatical meanings along with functioning as a subordinate conjunction in various sentences.