後で | Grammar

Structure

[verb た-form] + 後で [noun] + の + 後で後で + [sentence]

Description

後で means "after". After a verb it takes the た-form, and after a noun it takes の. The verb stays in the た-form even when the whole sentence is about the future.

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I'll go for a walk after I eat.

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You can play games after you've done your homework.

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I'm meeting a friend after class.

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Would you like to go for a drink after work?

× 食べる後で → 食べた後で

On its own, with no verb or noun before it, 後で means "later". In this sense it is often written in kana, あとで.

。

I'll call you later.

。

I'll get in touch later.

後で or てから

Both put one action after another. てから stresses the order – first this, and only then that – and it attaches to the て-form. 後で just places the second action somewhere later.

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Wash your hands first, then eat.

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After watching the film, we talked about what we thought.

後で or 後

With で, the second half is one event that happens after the first. For a state that lasts from then on, drop the で, or use てから.

、。

I've lived in Tokyo ever since I graduated.

× 卒業した後で、ずっと東京に住んでいる → 卒業した後、ずっと東京に住んでいる

After a verb or noun, あとに後に means the same as 後で and sounds a little more formal.

Examples

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After eating, I brush my teeth.

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I'll contact you later.

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After watching the movie, we discussed our impressions.

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After class, I will go to the library.

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After shopping, I stopped by a café.

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Please check this document later.

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After lunch, I took a short nap.

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After taking a shower, I went to bed right away.

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After the trip, could you show me the photos?

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I'll come back later.

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After graduating, I plan to study abroad in Japan.

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Please ask questions after listening to the explanation.

References

After I あとのち～てからimabi.org