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"After" is a preposition which is often translated as "después de", and "follow" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "seguir". Learn more about the difference between "after" and "follow" below.
after(
ahf
-
duhr
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. después de
Hey, what are you doing after work today? Do you want to go for a drink?Oye, ¿qué haces después del trabajo hoy? ¿Quieres ir a tomar algo?
b. tras (indicating repetition)
The protesters have come day after day for weeks, seeking justice.Los manifestantes han venido día tras día durante semanas buscando justicia.
a. tras
She is obviously after his fortune; that's why she married him.Obviamente va tras su fortuna; por eso se casó con él.
a. al modo de
Much of Roman architecture was after the Greek style.Mucha de la arquitectura romana fue al modo del estilo griego.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I was named after my grandfather.Me pusieron el nombre de mi abuelo.
The family has donated so much money to the university that they're naming a building after them.La familia le ha donado tanto dinero a la universidad que están nombrando un edificio en su honor.
a. después de
You deserve it after all you have been through.Te lo mereces después de todo lo que has pasado.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
10. (when)
a. después de que
Go to bed after brushing your teeth.Vete a dormir después de que te cepilles los dientes.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
11. (formal) (literary) (subsequent)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. posterior
Miriam regretted her decision not to marry Tony in after years.Miriam se arrepentía de no haberse casado con Tony en años posteriores.
follow(
fa
-
lo
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to pursue)
2. (to obey)
a. seguir
I made a real mess of the desk because I didn't follow the instructions.Hice una chapuza del escritorio porque no seguí las instrucciones.
b. obedecer
She gets into trouble because she doesn't follow the rules in school.Se mete en problemas porque no obedece las reglas en la escuela.
c. cumplir
The soldier was punished for not following orders.El soldado fue castigado por no cumplir las órdenes.
a. seguir
The events that followed the war were truly unexpected.Los sucesos que siguieron la guerra fueron verdaderamente inesperados.
a. seguir
If you follow that street, you'll find it there at the end.Si sigues esa calle, lo encuentras allí al final.
5. (to imitate)
a. seguir
I'm going to follow in my father's footsteps; I'm going to be a doctor.Voy a seguir los pasos de mi padre, voy a ser médico.
6. (to work in)
a. trabajar de
You have to study a lot to follow the medical profession.Tienes que estudiar mucho para trabajar de médico.
a. mantenerse al tanto
I've been following the situation on TV, and it's not looking so good.Me he mantenido al tanto de la situación en la tele y no tiene buena pinta.
b. seguir
I followed the first three seasons, and then I got bored.Seguí las primeras tres temporadas y después me aburrí.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I'd like the salad, and the steak to follow.Me gustaría la ensalada y el bistec como segundo.
What followed was quite unpleasant.Lo que vino a continuación fue bastante desagradable.
11. (to understand)
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
a. deducirse
If you want to work there, it follows that you should learn about what they do.Si quieres trabajar allí, se deduce que debes aprender sobre lo que hacen.
