After vs. On — What's the Difference?
Difference Between After and On
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After
In the time following (an event or another period of time)
After a while he returned
He'd gone out with his secretary for an after-work drink
Shortly after their marriage they moved to Colorado
On
Used to indicate position above and supported by or in contact with
The vase is on the table. We rested on our hands and knees.
After
Behind
She went out, shutting the door after her
On
Used to indicate contact with or extent over (a surface) regardless of position
A picture on the wall.
A rash on my back.
After
In pursuit or quest of
Chasing after something you can't have
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On
Used to indicate location at or along
The pasture on the south side of the river.
A house on the highway.
After
Next to and following in order or importance
In their order of priorities health comes after housing
On
Used to indicate proximity
A town on the border.
After
In allusion to (someone or something with the same or a related name)
They named her Pauline, after Barbara's mother
On
Used to indicate attachment to or suspension from
Beads on a string.
After
During the period of time following (an event)
Duke Frederick died soon after
Bath time ended in a flood after the taps were left running
On
Used to indicate figurative or abstract position
On the young side, but experienced.
On her third beer.
Stopped on chapter two.
After
During the period of time following (an event)
Duke Frederick died soon after
Bath time ended in a flood after the taps were left running
On
Used to indicate actual motion toward, against, or onto
Jumped on the table.
The march on Washington.
After
Later
He was sorry in after years
On
Used to indicate figurative or abstract motion toward, against, or onto
Going on six o'clock.
Came on the answer by accident.
After
Nearer the stern of a ship
The after cabin
On
Used to indicate occurrence at a given time
On July third.
Every hour on the hour.
After
Behind in place or order
Z comes after Y in the alphabet.
On
Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance
On entering the room, she saw him.
After
Next to or lower than in order or importance.
On
Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action
The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
After
In quest or pursuit of
Seek after fame.
Go after big money.
On
Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action
Have pity on them.
After
Concerning
Asked after you.
On
Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it
An attack on the fortress.
After
Subsequent in time to; at a later time than
Come after dinner.
On
Used to indicate the object of perception or thought
Gazed on the vista.
Meditated on his actions.
After
Subsequent to and because of or regardless of
They are still friends after all their differences.
On
Used to indicate the agent or agency of a specified action
Cut his foot on the broken glass.
Talked on the telephone.
After
Following continually
Year after year.
On
Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely
Went on a strict diet.
After
In the style of or in imitation of
Satires after Horace.
On
Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness
High on dope.
After
With the same or close to the same name as; in honor or commemoration of
Named after her mother.
On
Used to indicate a source or basis
"We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results" (Margaret Thatcher).
After
According to the nature or desires of; in conformity to
A tenor after my own heart.
On
Used to indicate a source of power or energy
The car runs on methane.
After
Past the hour of
Five minutes after three.
On
Used to indicate the state or process of
On leave.
On fire.
On the way.
After
(Irish) Used with a present participle to indicate action that has just been completed
"Sure I'm after seeing him not five minutes ago" (James Joyce).
On
Used to indicate the purpose of
Travel on business.
After
Behind; in the rear.
On
Used to indicate a means of conveyance
Ride on a train.
After
At a later or subsequent time; afterward
Three hours after.
Departed shortly after.
On
Used to indicate availability by means of
Beer on tap.
A physician on call.
After
Subsequent in time or place; later; following
In after years.
On
Used to indicate belonging to
A nurse on the hospital staff.
After
Located near the stern of a vessel or the rear or an aircraft or spacecraft.
On
Used to indicate addition or repetition
Heaped error on error.
After
Following or subsequent to the time that
I saw them after I arrived.
On
Concerning; about
A book on astronomy.
After
Afternoon.
On
Concerning and to the disadvantage of
We have some evidence on him.
After
Afters Chiefly British Dessert.
On
(Informal) In one's possession; with
I haven't a cent on me.
After
Behind; later in time; following.
I left the room, and the dog bounded after.
They lived happily ever after.
I might come next month, or the month after.
On
At the expense of; compliments of
Drinks on the house.
After
Subsequently to; following in time; later than.
We had a few beers after the game.
The time is quarter after eight.
The Cold War began shortly after WWII.
After you with the salt/paper.
I told her to shut the door after her.
On
In or into a position or condition of being supported by or in contact with something
Put the coffee on.
After
Behind.
He will leave a trail of destruction after him.
On
In or into a position of being attached to or covering something
Put your clothes on.
After
In pursuit of, seeking.
He's after a job; run after him; inquire after her health.
On
In the direction of something
He looked on while the ship docked.
After
In allusion to, in imitation of; following or referencing.
We named him after his grandfather; a painting after Leonardo da Vinci.
On
Toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time; forward
The play moved on to the next city.
After
Next in importance or rank.
The princess is next in line to the throne after the prince.
On
At or to a more distant point in time or space
I'll do it later on.
After
As a result of.
After your bad behaviour, you will be punished.
On
Toward or to a different state or condition
Let's move on to another subject.
After
In spite of.
After all that has happened, he is still my friend.
I can't believe that, after all our advice against gambling, you walked into that casino!
On
In a continuous course
He worked on quietly.
After
Used to indicate recent completion of an activity
I was after finishing my dinner when there was a knock on the door.
On
In or into performance or operation
Turn on the radio.
After
(dated) According to an author or text.
On
In progress or action; in a state of activity
The show must go on.
After
Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to.
To look after workmen; to enquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness
On
In or at the present position or condition
Stay on.
Hang on.
After
(obsolete) According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting.
On
In a condition of being scheduled for or decided upon
There is a party on tonight.
After
Signifies that the action of the clause it starts takes place before the action of the other clause.
I went home after we had decided to call it a day.
On
Being in operation
The television is on.
After
(dated) Later; second (of two); next, following, subsequent
On
Engaged in a given function or activity, such as a vocal or dramatic role
You're on in five minutes!.
After
At or towards the stern of a ship.
The after gun is mounted aft.
The after gun is abaft the forward gun.
On
Under or behaving as if under observation
A minister is always on.
After
Next; later in time; subsequent; succeeding; as, an after period of life.
On
(Informal) Functioning or performing at a high degree of competence or energy
The goalie is really on.
After
Hinder; nearer the rear.
On
Planned; intended
We have nothing much on for this weekend.
After
Behind in place; as, men in line one after another.
On
Happening; taking place
The parade is on.
After
Below in rank; next to in order.
Codrus after Ph bus sings the best.
On
(Baseball) Having reached base safely; on base
Two runners are on.
After
Later in time; subsequent; as, after supper, after three days. It often precedes a clause. Formerly that was interposed between it and the clause.
After I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
On
In the state of being active, functioning or operating.
All the lights are on, so they must be home.
After
Subsequent to and in consequence of; as, after what you have said, I shall be careful.
On
Performing according to schedule; taking place.
Are we still on for tonight?
Is the show still on?
We had to ration our food because there was a war on.
That TV programme that you wanted to watch is on now.
After
Subsequent to and notwithstanding; as, after all our advice, you took that course.
On
Fitted; covering; being worn.
Your feet will soon warm up once your socks are on.
I was trying to drink out of the bottle while the top was still on!
After
Moving toward from behind; following, in search of; in pursuit of.
Ye shall not go after other gods.
After whom is the king of Israel come out?
On
(postpositive) Of a stated part of something, oriented towards the viewer or other specified direction.
The photograph shows the UFO side on.
Edge on, side on, end on, face on
After
Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to; as, to look after workmen; to inquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness.
On
Acceptable, appropriate.
You can't do that; it's just not on.
After
In imitation of; in conformity with; after the manner of; as, to make a thing after a model; a picture after Rubens; the boy takes after his father.
Our eldest son was named George after his uncle.
On
(informal) Destined, normally in the context of a challenge being accepted; involved, doomed.
"Five bucks says the Cavs win tonight." ―"You're on!"
Mike just threw coffee onto Paul's lap. It's on now.
After
According to; in accordance with; in conformity with the nature of; as, he acted after his kind.
He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes.
They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.
On
Having reached a base as a runner and being positioned there, awaiting further action from a subsequent batter.
After
According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting.
He takes greatness of kingdoms according to bulk and currency, and not after their intrinsic value.
On
(cricket) Within the half of the field on the same side as the batsman's legs; the left side for a right-handed batsman.
The captain moved two fielders to the on side.
Ponsonby-Smythe hit a thumping on drive.
After
Subsequently in time or place; behind; afterward; as, he follows after.
It was about the space of three hours after.
On
Acting in character.
After
Located farther aft
On
(euphemistic) Menstruating.
After
Happening at a time subsequent to a reference time;
He apologized subsequently
He's going to the store but he'll be back here later
It didn't happen until afterward
Two hours after that
On
To an operating state.
Turn the television on
After
Behind or in the rear;
And Jill came tumbling after
On
So as to cover or be fitted.
The lid wasn't screwed on properly.
Put on your hat and gloves.
On
Along, forwards (continuing an action).
Drive on, rock on
On
In continuation, at length.
And so on
He rambled on and on.
On
(obsolete in the US) Later.
Ten years on, nothing had changed in the village.
On
Of betting odds, denoting a better-than-even chance. See also odds-on.
That horse is twenty-to-one on, so you need to stake twenty pounds just to win one pound.
On
Positioned at the upper surface of, touching from above.
A vase of flowers stood on the table.
Please lie down on the couch.
The parrot was sitting on Jim's shoulder.
On
Positioned at or resting against the outer surface of; attached to.
He had a scar on the side of his face.
There is a dirty smudge on this window.
The painting hangs on the wall.
The fruit ripened on the trees.
On
Expressing figurative placement or attachment.
All of the responsibility is on him.
I put a bet on the winning horse.
On
Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with.
To play on a violin or piano
On
At or in (a certain region or location).
The lighthouse that you can see is on the mainland.
The suspect is thought to still be on the campus.
On
Near; adjacent to; alongside.
The fleet is on the American coast.
Croton-on-Hudson, Rostov-on-Don, Southend-on-Sea
On
Supported by (the specified part of itself).
A table can't stand on two legs.
After resting on his elbows, he stood on his toes, then walked on his heels.
On
So as to impart force to.
Tug on the rope; push hard on the door
On
So as to impact; against.
I stubbed my toe on an old tree stump.
On
Covering.
He wore old shoes on his feet.
On
(with certain modes of transport, especially public transport) Inside (a vehicle) for the purpose of travelling.
On a bus, on a train, on a plane
On
At the date of.
Born on the 4th of July.
On
Some time during the day of.
On Sunday I'm busy. I'll see you on Monday.
Can I see you on a different day?
On
At a given time after the start of something; at.
Smith scored again on twelve minutes, doubling Mudchester Rovers' lead.
On
Dealing with the subject of; about; concerning.
I was reading a book on history.
The city hosted the World Summit on the Information Society
I have no opinion on this subject.
On
(informal) In the possession of.
I haven't got any money on me.
On
Because of, or due to.
To arrest someone on suspicion of bribery
To contact someone on a hunch
On
Upon; at the time of (and often because of).
On Jack's entry, William got up to leave.
On the addition of ammonia, a chemical reaction begins.
On
Paid for by.
The drinks are on me tonight, boys.
The meal is on the house.
I paid for the airfare and meals for my family, but the hotel room was on the company.
On
Indicating a means or medium.
I saw it on television.
Can't you see I'm on the phone?
My favorite shows are on BBC America.
The Beatles' appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show is on YouTube.
The film was released on DVD.
On
Indicating the target of, or thing affected by, an event or action.
They planned an attack on London.
The soldiers mutinied and turned their guns on their officers.
Her words made a lasting impression on my mind.
What will be the effect on morale?
On
Toward; for; indicating the object of an emotion.
Have pity or compassion on him.
On
Indicating the person experiencing an emotion, cold, thirst, hunger, etc.
On
Indicating a means of subsistence.
They lived on ten dollars a week.
The dog survived three weeks on rainwater.
On
Engaged in or occupied with (an action or activity).
He's on his lunch break.
I'm on nights all this week.
On vacation; on holiday; on the job; on the fiddle
On
Regularly taking (a drug).
You've been on these antidepressants far too long.
He's acting so strangely, I think he must be on something.
On
Under the influence of (a drug).
He's acting crazy because he's on crack right now.
On
(mathematics) Having identical domain and codomain.
A function on
On
(mathematics) Having as domain and V as codomain, for some set V and integer n.
An operator on
On
(mathematics) Generated by.
The free group on four letters
On
In addition to; besides; indicating multiplication or succession in a series.
Heaps on heaps of food
Mischief on mischief; loss on loss
On
Of
On
Indicating dependence or reliance.
I depended on them for assistance.
He will promise on certain conditions.
On
(obsolete) At the peril of, or for the safety of.
On
Serving as a member of.
He is on the jury; I am on the committee.
On
By virtue of; with the pledge of.
He affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honour.
On
To the account or detriment of; denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon.
On us be all the blame.
A curse on him!
Please don't tell on her and get her in trouble.
He turned on her and has been her enemy ever since.
He went all honest on me, making me listen to his confession.
On
(especially when numbers of combatants or competitors are specified) Against; in opposition to.
The fight was three on one, and he never stood a chance.
On
Without.
On
To switch on.
Can you on the light?
On
In the Japanese language, a pronunciation, or reading, of a kanji character that was originally based on the character's pronunciation in Chinese, contrasted with kun.
Most kanji have two kinds of reading, called "on" and "kun".
On
The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath
On
At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.
I stood on the bridge at midnight.
On
To or against the surface of; - used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.
Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken.
On
Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.
On
At or near; adjacent to; - indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.
On
In addition to; besides; - indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.
On
Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse; based on certain assumptions.
On
At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).
On
At the time of; - often conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform; the shop is closed on Sundays.
On
Toward; for; - indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
On
At the peril of, or for the safety of.
On
By virtue of; with the pledge of; - denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.
On
To the account of; - denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.
His blood be on us and on our children.
On
In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.
On
Of.
Or have we eaten on the insane rootThat takes the reason prisoner?
On
Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey; on the job; on an assignment; on a case; on the alert.
On
In the service of; connected with; a member of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.
On
In reference to; about; concerning; as, to think on it; to meditate on it.
They have added the -en plural form on to an elder plural.
We see the strength of the new movement in the new class of ecclesiastics whom it forced on to the stage.
On
Forward, in progression; onward; - usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on; the beat goes on.
The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger.
On
Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
On
In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.
On
Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.
On
Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use.
He put on righteousness as a breastplate.
On
In progress; proceeding; ongoing; as, a game is on.
On
In operation or operational;
Left the oven on
The switch is in the on position
On
(of events) planned or scheduled;
The picnic is on, rain or shine
We have nothing on for Friday night
On
Performing or scheduled for duties;
I'm on from five to midnight
Naval personnel on duty in Alaska
Her on-duty hours were 11p.m. to 7 a.m.
On
With a forward motion;
We drove along admiring the view
The horse trotted along at a steady pace
The circus traveled on to the next city
Move along
March on
On
Indicates continuity or persistence or concentration;
His spirit lives on
Shall I read on?
On
In a state required for something to function or be effective;
Turn the lights on
Get a load on
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