Use of past participle after conjunction 'after'

Question

Hello, experts?There are some times when you end up with sentences that are never used by and look weird to native speakers, when you apply some rules you just heard of, to somewhere you're not supposed to do, as a non-native speaker.I think the following sentence is one of those. "After boiled in the water, the potatoes became soft and weak."How does this sound?  Do you use - ed (past participle) right after the conjunction 'after'?I know we can use -ing after 'after' whatever it is.I hope it is OK and it is no problem at all but...Please guide me...

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

hohokThere are some times when you end up with sentences that are never used by and look weird to native speakers, when you apply some rules you just heard of, to somewhere you're not supposed to do, as a non-native speaker.

Very true.

hohokI think the following sentence is one of those. "After boiled in the water, the potatoes became soft and weak."

Yes. Unfortunately, it's one of those.

Boiled in water, the potatoes become soft. (or become tender.)

[ That said, you can use once in that context.

Once boiled in water, the potatoes become soft. ]

hohokDo you use - ed (past participle) right after the conjunction 'after'?

It's not common at all. You'll see it after when sometimes, but even less often after other subordinators like if, since, unless, until, and although. It's even more rare after before and after— practically non-existent. If I were a learner of English, I wouldn't attempt it after any of those except when or if unless you're following a model you've found in printed material.

When finished, the porch will be wheelchair-accessible for Sunrise Park residents.
You may understand it if written, but I challenge you to understand it if spoken.

hohokI know we can use -ing after 'after' whatever it is.

Correct. The -ing form of a verb is the only form that can come after a preposition, but it can also come after certain subordinators, namely,

when, after, before, while, since, until, if, unless, and although.

CJ

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Here is what would be in a cookbook.

After being cut up and boiled in water for about a half hour, potatoes will be fork-tender and suitable for mashing.

Use of past participle after conjunction 'after'

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