Linking clauses by subordination
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Expressing time | page 4 of 4 |
Time after
After, as soon as, once, since, when and whenever are all used to indicate that the events in the main clause took place after the situation described in the subordinate clause.
As soon as and once emphasise that the two events happened very close together:
She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. (Bank of English)
Mice, like all animals, become used to sounds once they realise they do not represent real danger. (Bank of English)
After simply marks the sequence of the clauses 
:
But Australian soccer's heartbreak team had to do it the hard way after they were reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute with the dismissal of star midfielder Danny Tiatto. (Bank of English)
Other words may be added to show the closeness of the events:
The countrywide cuts will start after he gets the report he commissioned just after he took office. (Bank of English)
The Samaritans started a long time after I became an agony aunt.
(Bank of English)
When and whenever typically mark the sequence of the clauses when the two clauses describe short actions (in the first example, the arrest and the anger):
When he heard his father had been arrested, Keanu was angry.
(Bank of English)
(and in the second, the use of the product and the onset of burning and itching):
However, whenever I try to use one of their products with an SPF number 15, my face starts to burn and itch. (Bank of English)
Since marks the beginning of the period during which the situation in the main clause applies:
She has faced six coup attempts since she came to power four years ago.
(Bank of English)
Introduction
Time after
