Phrasal verb
be after
Definition
phrasal verb. to try to find, get, or catch something or someone.
phrasal verb. to pursue or seek a specific object, person, or outcome; often used to describe a person's underlying motive or a physical chase.
Examples
“The police are after the thief who stole the car.”
“I think he is only after your money, so you should be careful.”
“Journalists have been after the senator for weeks, hoping to secure an exclusive interview regarding the recent policy shift.”
Examples
simple
“The police are after the thief who stole the car.”
contextual
“I think he is only after your money, so you should be careful.”
complex
“Journalists have been after the senator for weeks, hoping to secure an exclusive interview regarding the recent policy shift.”
Usage
usually followed by a noun or a gerund; very common in spoken English to describe motives.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'look for' (neutral searching) and 'chase' (physical pursuit); 'be after' often implies a hidden or strong desire for something.
Pitfall
He is after to get a new job.
He is after a new job.
the phrase is followed by a noun or a gerund, not an infinitive verb.
Phrasal verb
Particles
after
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
be + after + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/be-after