preposition / adjective
following
Coming after the thing just mentioned.
Following lunch, the committee meets to discuss the budget.
Etymology
The participle developed into a word relating one event or item to the next. Following places it later than the thing already mentioned.
More examples
- We arrive on Friday and leave the following morning.
- The following chapter explains how the machine works.
- Please stay seated following the performance.
Forms
following
Similar words
- after
- Works as a preposition, but not as an adjective.
- subsequent
- Describes something later, not necessarily the very next thing.
- next
- Specifies the immediately succeeding item, event, or time.