Performing an Action or Experiencing (After & Past): English Vocabulary List

to find out how someone is doing, especially if one has not seen or heard from them for a while

"He asked after your health."

"The elderly neighbor always asks after my parents when she sees me in the street."

to follow or chase someone, often with the intent of catching or reaching them

"The police came after the thief."

"The police officer warned the thief that he would come after him if he ever returned to the city."

to pursue or try to catch someone or something

"The dog went after the cat."

"The police decided to go after the criminals who had escaped into the nearby forest."

to take care of someone or something and attend to their needs, well-being, or safety

"Who looks after your dog?"

"The elderly woman needs someone to look after her because she cannot live alone safely anymore."

to go after someone or something in order to catch them

"The dog made after the cat."

"The police made after the suspect as he ran down the street."

to give someone or something a name in honor or in memory of another person or thing

"He was named after his grandfather."

"The young couple decided to name their baby daughter after her beloved grandmother who had recently passed away."

to follow someone or something in an attempt to catch them

"The dog runs after the cat."

"The dog ran after the cat but the cat was too fast and climbed up a tall tree."

to move past someone with speed

"The car blew past us."

"The speeding motorcycle blew past the stationary police car without slowing down."

to move beyond a specific location, object, or person

"Go past the traffic lights."

"The funeral procession slowly went past the crowd of mourners who stood in respectful silence."

to present an idea or proposal to someone with the intention of getting their opinion or approval

"Run past your idea now."

"Could you run past your proposed marketing strategy with me before the big meeting tomorrow morning?"

to take action or make an effort to pursue or attain something

"He will get after it."

"She vowed to get after her fitness goals with renewed determination, starting immediately with a rigorous exercise regimen."

to look or act like an older member of the family, especially one's parents

"She takes after mom."

"The young musician seems to take after his father's incredible talent for playing the piano."