What does 'in the wake of...' mean? What is the meaning of this sentence? And could you please give me some examples. Thanks
2007-06-14 13:54:05 · 5 answers · asked by devvet 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Can I say 'in the wake of the terrorist bombings, we can find the answers to the many questions we once had' that is, after the bombings we are able to better understand a situation. Does it make any sense if used in this sentence? Thanks!
2007-06-14 14:18:23 · update #1
The wake is a term that refers to the disturbance of water behind a boat/ship as it moves (through water).
In everyday terms it is used to mean 'what happens after', or repercussions.
2007-06-14 14:02:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wake is the waves produced when a ship goes by. The phrase "in the wake of ...." usually compares some kind of disaster to the ship.
In the wake of 9-1-1, many civilians became first time gun owners.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many local residents have permanently moved to higher ground
2007-06-14 21:05:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
according to your sentence-- 'in the wake of the terrorist bombings, we can find the answers to the many questions we once had'--the "in the wake of" is an idiom that means "as a result of; following/succeeding."
see link: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wake (see wake2, 3rd definition under idiom).
so your sentence would mean "as a result of the terrorist bombings, we are able to find answers to the many questions we once had." it doesn't really make sense to me... because questions were unanswered directly after the terrorist bombings. it was because of police and detective work that uncovered the people behind the bombings, which led to arrest and confessions that answered peoples' questions...
so your sentence should be rephrased... eg, in the wake of the terrorists' confessions, we were able to find answers to our questions concerning the terrorist bombings.
hope you understand now :D
2007-06-14 21:48:04 · answer #3 · answered by wat_more_can_i_say? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wake here implies the wake of a boat - the wave that is created and churns behind the boat because of its motion. 'In the wake of X..., Y', is an argument that statement Y is necessary or has occured because of the occurance of statement X. For example...
"In the wake of the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01, the United States government increased security at airports."
"In the wake of recent revelations of mismanagement, I feel it is necessary to tender my resignation as CEO."
2007-06-14 21:12:30 · answer #4 · answered by hogan.enterprises 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In this sense, "wake" refers to the track left by a moving body in water (such as the "ship's wake"), or close behind and in the same path of travel (the missionaries arrived 'in the wake'of soldiers).
2007-06-14 21:15:01 · answer #5 · answered by jan51601 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋