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after all

Two meanings​

After all can mean ‘in spite of what was said before’ or ‘contrary to what was expected’. Position: usually at the end of a clause.

  • I’m sorry. I know I said I would help you, but I can’t after all.
  • I expected to fail the exam, but I passed after all.

Another meaning is ‘we mustn’t forget that …’, introducing an argument or reason which may have been forgotten. Position: at the beginning or end of a clause.

  • Of course you’re tired. After all, you were up all night.
  • Let’s finish the cake. Somebody’s got to eat it, after all.

Not used for ‘finally’​

After all does not mean ‘finally’, ‘at last’, ‘in the end’.

  • After the theatre we had supper and went to a nightclub; then we finally went home. (not … after all we went home.)