following
A1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Coming after or as a result of something; the group of people who support or admire someone.
A thing or things about to be mentioned; the act of pursuing or tracking; next in order or time.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word functions primarily as a preposition, adjective, or noun. As a preposition, it indicates temporal or logical sequence. As an adjective, it describes something that comes next. As a noun, it refers to a group of supporters or admirers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. Minor differences exist in some collocations and idiomatic phrasing.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N + following + N (e.g., 'the day following the event')Prep + following (e.g., 'on the following morning')Verb + following (e.g., 'attract a following')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a following wind”
- “play to the gallery/following”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common in reports and plans: 'The following quarter showed improved results.'
Academic
Used to introduce lists or explanations: 'The following conclusions can be drawn...'
Everyday
Frequent in casual plans: 'See you the following Tuesday.'
Technical
Used in instructions: 'Complete the following steps in sequence.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The detective is following a new lead.
- She will be following the recipe carefully.
American English
- The kids are following the parade.
- We'll be following the company's policy.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as 'following' is not used as a standalone adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as 'following' is not used as a standalone adverb.
adjective
British English
- Please complete the following tasks.
- The following applicant was called for interview.
American English
- Answer the following questions.
- The following chapter explains the theory.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The following day was sunny.
- She has a big following on social media.
- Please read the following instructions carefully.
- The band developed a loyal following over the years.
- Following the merger, several departments were restructured.
- His political following remained steadfast despite the controversy.
- The judge's ruling was predicated on the following legal principles.
- The artist cultivated an international following through innovative digital exhibitions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a line of ducklings FOLLOWING their mother. The one FOLLOWING is next in line.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A PATH (the following day is the next point on the path).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'следующий' meaning 'next in a queue'.
- The noun 'following' (группа последователей) is often mistranslated as 'следствие' (consequence).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'in the next day' instead of 'the following day'.
- Using 'on the following' without a noun (e.g., 'on the following of the event').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'following' as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be followed by a singular or plural noun (e.g., 'the following page', 'the following pages'), depending on what is being referred to.
Yes, as a preposition or adjective. For example: 'Following the meeting, we went for lunch.' or 'Following chapters will explore this in detail.'
'Next' typically refers to the immediate item in a sequence from the current point of reference. 'Following' is more flexible and can refer to any subsequent item(s), often used in formal writing to introduce a list or explanation.
No, 'on the following' is incomplete. You must specify what follows, e.g., 'on the following day', 'on the following page'. 'On the following' by itself is ungrammatical.
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