After as a conjunction and a preposition

The word after can be used as a preposition, an adverb and a conjunction.

When it is used as a preposition, it is followed by a noun.

• I went for a short walk after dinner.
• After the war, he went back to work on his dad’s farm.
• Applications submitted after 6 pm will not be accepted.

When after is used as an adverb, it is not followed by a noun.

• She died on March 5^th and was buried the day after.

After can also be used as a conjunction. As a conjunction after connects two clauses.

• After he finished his studies, he went to America.
• He arrived after everybody had gone home.

In American English, after is often used in telling the time.

• It is ten after six. (US)
• It is ten past six. (GB)

To shout after someone is to shout to them as they leave.

‘Don’t come back!’ she yelled after him.

To clean up after somebody is to clean a mess they have left.

You have to put those toys away. I won’t be cleaning up after you.

To close a door after you is to close it as you leave a place.

Please close the door after you.

When you are after somebody, you are trying to catch them.

The police are after the man who made off with the jewels.

To name a person or thing after someone is to give them the same name.

• He is named after his grandfather. (He and his grandfather have the same name.)
• He is called Christopher, after his uncle.
• She has a university named after her.