in the wake of

Meaning

This phrase means happening after and as a direct result of an event, often a disruptive or damaging one. It is used in formal writing and academic analyses to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between major events.

Examples

• In the wake of the economic crisis, the government implemented strict financial regulations.

  In the wake of the economic crisis, the government implemented strict financial regulations.

• The university restructured its curriculum in the wake of student protests.

  The university restructured its curriculum in the wake of student protests.

• New safety protocols were established in the wake of the laboratory accident.

  New safety protocols were established in the wake of the laboratory accident.

• In the wake of recent findings, scientists have had to rethink the timeline of human evolution.

  In the wake of recent findings, scientists have had to rethink the timeline of human evolution.

• The region experienced severe political instability in the wake of the sudden regime change.

  The region experienced severe political instability in the wake of the sudden regime change.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ In the wake for the storm, many homes lost power.

  ✓ In the wake of the storm, many homes lost power.

  The correct prepositional pattern is always 'in the wake of', never 'for' or 'to'.

• ✗ We celebrated my graduation in the wake of a nice dinner.

  ✓ We celebrated my graduation after a nice dinner.

  'In the wake of' is reserved for significant, consequential, or disruptive events, not minor or routine occurrences.

Related Expressions

Practice

• ___ the pandemic, remote work became a permanent fixture of corporate culture.

  💡 as a consequence of

  Show answer

  in the wake of

• The government passed new environmental laws ___ the oil spill.

  💡 following and as a result of

  Show answer

  in the wake of