V た-form / N の + あとで (V-ta / N no + ato de) — After ~, do the next thing
The pattern for saying the order: first this finishes, then that happens.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
「〜あとで」shows the order: the first action finishes, then the second one happens. There are two ways to attach it: the た form of a verb + あとで (食べた あとで), and a noun + の + あとで (会議の あとで). Here is the biggest trap — the first verb always stays in the た form, even when the sentence is about the future: 仕事が 終わった あとで、買い物に 行きます. The difference from 「〜てから」is small: てから ties the two actions closely, "only after this, right away", while あとで just gives a loose order, "after that, at some point". One more difference — あとで can attach to a noun (会議の あとで), but てから cannot.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
仕事が 終わった あとで、買い物に 行きます。
shigoto ga owatta ato de, kaimono ni ikimasu.
After work finishes, I will go shopping.
会議の あとで、部長に 話します。
kaigi no ato de, buchou ni hanashimasu.
After the meeting, I will talk to the department manager.
ご飯を 食べた あとで、薬を 飲んで ください。
gohan o tabeta ato de, kusuri o nonde kudasai.
Please take the medicine after you eat.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
Question: 1/3What goes in the gap in 「仕事が ___ あとで、帰ります」?
💡 Hint: The form does not change even when the sentence is about the future.
あとで always takes the た form — 終わった あとで. 帰ります already shows the future.
Which correctly says "after the meeting"?
💡 Hint: A noun needs の.
Noun + の + あとで = 会議の あとで. てから, on the other hand, cannot attach to a noun.
Which sentence is wrong?
💡 Hint: てから attaches only to the て form of a verb.
あとで attaches to a noun + の (食事の あとで) and to the た form. てから attaches only to the て form of a verb — 食事してから. On top of that, てから gives the closer link of "only after this, right away", while あとで just gives the order.
Your score: /3