Aft vs. After — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 17, 2024
Aft refers to the rear part of a ship or aircraft. After denotes something occurring later in time or subsequent to an event.
Difference Between Aft and After
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Key Differences
Aft is a nautical and aeronautical term used to describe the rear part of a vessel or aircraft. It is commonly used in contexts involving navigation and positioning on ships or planes. After, on the other hand, is a general English term that indicates something occurring later in time or following an event.
Aft is primarily used in maritime and aviation settings. For example, passengers may be directed to the aft section of a ship or plane. After is versatile and used in everyday language to describe events happening later, such as "after the meeting" or "after school."
The term aft has a specific directional meaning, indicating the back end of a vessel. After is a temporal term that relates to the sequence of events or time progression.
In usage, aft helps in giving precise locations on ships and aircraft, crucial for navigation and operational clarity. After is used to relate events or actions in a timeline, making it essential for everyday communication and planning.
Aft is not interchangeable with after due to its specific maritime and aeronautical context, while after is widely applicable in various contexts beyond nautical or aviation terms.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Rear part of a ship or aircraft
Occurring later in time or following an event
Usage Context
Nautical and aeronautical
General English
Part of Speech
Adjective, adverb
Preposition, conjunction, adverb
Example Sentence
The crew moved to the aft section.
She will call you after the meeting.
Specificity
Directional term for location on vessels
Temporal term for sequence of events
Compare with Definitions
Aft
Used in navigation and positioning.
The engine room is located aft.
After
Subsequent to another event.
She arrived after everyone else had left.
Aft
Refers to the back part of an aircraft.
The aft cargo hold has limited access.
After
Indicates a later time.
The store opens after 9 AM.
Aft
Rear section of an airplane.
The aft cabin is reserved for economy passengers.
After
Due to or because of.
He was tired after working all day.
Aft
"Aft", in nautical terminology, is an adjective or adverb meaning 'towards the stern (rear) of the ship', when the frame of reference is within the ship, headed at the fore. For example, "Able Seaman Smith; lie aft!" or "What's happening aft?".
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
Aft
At, in, toward, or close to the stern of a vessel or the rear of an aircraft or spacecraft.
After
Behind
She went out, shutting the door after her
Aft
(nautical) The stern portion of a vessel.
After
In pursuit or quest of
Chasing after something you can't have
Aft
: the time of day from noon until early evening.
After
Next to and following in order or importance
In their order of priorities health comes after housing
Aft
(nautical) At, near, or towards the stern of a vessel (with the frame of reference within the vessel).
After
In allusion to (someone or something with the same or a related name)
They named her Pauline, after Barbara's mother
Aft
Located at the back of a boat, ship, or airplane
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
Aft
Near or towards the stern of a vessel; astern; abaft.
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
Aft
(nautical, aeronautical) situated at or toward the stern or tail
After
Later
He was sorry in after years
Aft
At or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane;
Stow the luggage aft
Ships with square sails sail fairly efficiently with the wind abaft
The captain looked astern to see what the fuss was about
After
Nearer the stern of a ship
The after cabin
Aft
Refers to the back end of a ship.
The lifeboats are stored aft.
After
Behind in place or order
Z comes after Y in the alphabet.
Aft
Moving towards the rear of a ship.
Walk aft to reach the dining area.
After
Next to or lower than in order or importance.
After
In quest or pursuit of
Seek after fame.
Go after big money.
After
Concerning
Asked after you.
After
Subsequent in time to; at a later time than
Come after dinner.
After
Subsequent to and because of or regardless of
They are still friends after all their differences.
After
Following continually
Year after year.
After
In the style of or in imitation of
Satires after Horace.
After
With the same or close to the same name as; in honor or commemoration of
Named after her mother.
After
According to the nature or desires of; in conformity to
A tenor after my own heart.
After
Past the hour of
Five minutes after three.
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).
After
Behind; in the rear.
After
At a later or subsequent time; afterward
Three hours after.
Departed shortly after.
After
Subsequent in time or place; later; following
In after years.
After
Located near the stern of a vessel or the rear or an aircraft or spacecraft.
After
Following or subsequent to the time that
I saw them after I arrived.
After
Afternoon.
After
Afters Chiefly British Dessert.
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.
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.
After
Behind.
He will leave a trail of destruction after him.
After
In pursuit of, seeking.
He's after a job; run after him; inquire after her health.
After
In allusion to, in imitation of; following or referencing.
We named him after his grandfather; a painting after Leonardo da Vinci.
After
Next in importance or rank.
The princess is next in line to the throne after the prince.
After
As a result of.
After your bad behaviour, you will be punished.
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!
After
Used to indicate recent completion of an activity
I was after finishing my dinner when there was a knock on the door.
After
(dated) According to an author or text.
After
Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to.
To look after workmen; to enquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness
After
(obsolete) According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting.
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.
After
(dated) Later; second (of two); next, following, subsequent
After
At or towards the stern of a ship.
The after gun is mounted aft.
The after gun is abaft the forward gun.
After
Next; later in time; subsequent; succeeding; as, an after period of life.
After
Hinder; nearer the rear.
After
Behind in place; as, men in line one after another.
After
Below in rank; next to in order.
Codrus after Ph bus sings the best.
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.
After
Subsequent to and in consequence of; as, after what you have said, I shall be careful.
After
Subsequent to and notwithstanding; as, after all our advice, you took that course.
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?
After
Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to; as, to look after workmen; to inquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness.
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.
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.
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.
After
Subsequently in time or place; behind; afterward; as, he follows after.
It was about the space of three hours after.
After
Located farther aft
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
After
Behind or in the rear;
And Jill came tumbling after
After
Occurring following a specific event.
We went for dinner after the movie.
After
Following someone or something.
The dog ran after the ball.
Common Curiosities
How is after used in a sentence?
After is used to indicate something occurring later in time, such as "after lunch."
Can aft be used in aviation?
Yes, aft refers to the rear part of an aircraft.
What is the difference between aft and stern?
Aft describes the rear section of a vessel, while stern specifically refers to the backmost part.
Is aft commonly used outside nautical contexts?
Aft is primarily used in nautical and aeronautical contexts and is not common in everyday language.
What is an aft cabin?
An aft cabin is a room located in the rear part of a ship or aircraft.
Can after indicate a reason?
Yes, after can imply causation, as in "He was exhausted after the marathon."
What is an example of using after as a preposition?
"She took a nap after lunch" uses after as a preposition indicating time.
What does aft mean on a ship?
Aft refers to the rear part of a ship, near the stern.
Is aft a directional term?
Yes, aft indicates a direction towards the rear of a vessel or aircraft.
Is after only related to time?
Primarily, but it can also denote pursuit, as in "He ran after the thief."
Does aft have an adverbial form?
Yes, aft can be used as an adverb, as in "They moved aft."
Is aft used in modern nautical terminology?
Yes, aft remains a standard term in modern nautical terminology.
Can after indicate a sequence of actions?
Yes, after can indicate sequential actions, such as "She brushed her teeth after she ate."
Can aft be used to describe location in space?
Yes, aft describes a spatial location towards the rear of a vessel or aircraft.
Can after be used as a conjunction?
Yes, after can function as a conjunction, as in "After he finished, he left."
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
