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In describing an algorithm, I feel I repeatedly use "After doing this, the algorithm do that". I look for alternative ways to say such sequences. For example I wrote:

After obtaining the Post-Matches rules, the algorithm performs the extraction command and the post-assignments of both Pre-Matches and Post-Matches

I think of writing it as:

Once the Post-Matches rules were obtained, the algorithm performs the extraction command and the post-assignments of both Pre-Matches and Post-Matches.

Are they equivalent? What are other ways to say such sentences?

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  • Is your question whether these have the same meaning? They look the same to me, though in the second sentence "were obtained" should be "are obtained," since the tense should be consistent.
    – cbh
    Commented Oct 20, 2016 at 14:15
  • @cbh yes, and any other way to say that.
    – Ahmad
    Commented Oct 20, 2016 at 14:27
  • As a matter of style, I prefer the first version. I try to avoid the passive voice if the subject is known.
    – Tupelo Thistlehead
    Commented Oct 20, 2016 at 16:02
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    I presume you are using an intro clause like "After obtaining the Post-Matches rules" because obtaining the Post-Matches rules was not the previous step. If it was, why not just use Then instead. You really need to tell us what came before your quote.
    – user3169
    Commented Oct 20, 2016 at 22:07
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    What about "Having obtained the Post-Matches rules..."?
    – JMB
    Commented Oct 20, 2016 at 22:10

1 Answer 1

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If you want to avoid repeating "after something" you can use these variants:

  • When the Post-Matches rules are obtained, the algorithm then performs the extraction command and the post-assignments of both Pre-Matches and Post-Matches.

  • Once the Post-Matches rules are obtained, the algorithm performs the extraction command and the post-assignments of both Pre-Matches and Post-Matches.

  • Having obtained the Post-Matches rules, the algorithm performs the extraction command and the post-assignments of both Pre-Matches and Post-Matches.

  • As soon as the Post-Matches rules are obtained, the algorithm performs the extraction command and the post-assignments of both Pre-Matches and Post-Matches.

  • The instant (moment,second) the Post-Matches rules are obtained, the algorithm performs the extraction command and the post-assignments of both Pre-Matches and Post-Matches.

You can add a few more words:

  • After having successfully obtained the Post-Matches rules, the algorithm performs the extraction command and the post-assignments of both Pre-Matches and Post-Matches.

  • Immediately (directly, right, shortly, soon, just) after obtaining the Post-Matches rules, the algorithm performs the extraction command and the post-assignments of both Pre-Matches and Post-Matches.

  • Subsequent to the obtaining of the Post-Matches rules, the algorithm performs the extraction command and the post-assignments of both Pre-Matches and Post-Matches.

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