Following vs. After

Following vs. After — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Following and After

Followingadjective

Coming next, either in sequence or in time.

See the following section.

Afteradverb

Behind; later in time; following.

They lived happily ever after.I left the room, and the dog bounded after.

Followingadjective

About to be specified.

The following words have no definition...

Afterpreposition

Subsequently to; following in time; later than.

We had a few beers after the game.The time is quarter after eight.The Cold War began shortly after the Second World War.

Followingadjective

(of a wind) Blowing in the direction of travel.

The following wind sped us on our way.

Afterpreposition

Behind.

He will leave a trail of destruction after him.
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Followingpreposition

After, subsequent to.

Following the meeting, we all had a chat.

Afterpreposition

In pursuit of, seeking.

He's after a job; run after him; inquire after her health.

Followingnoun

A group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage.

He had a loyal following.

Afterpreposition

In allusion to, in imitation of; following or referencing.

We named him after his grandfather; a painting after Leonardo da Vinci.

Followingnoun

Vocation; business; profession.

Afterpreposition

Next in importance or rank.

The princess is next in line to the throne after the prince.
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Followingnoun

(with definite article, treated as singular or plural) A thing or things to be mentioned immediately after.

The following is a recommendation letter from the president.The following are the three most important questions.

Afterpreposition

As a result of.

After your bad behaviour, you will be punished.

Followingverb

present participle of follow

Afterpreposition

In spite of.

After all that has happened, he is still my friend.I can't believe that, after all our advice against gambling, you walked into that casino!

Followingnoun

a group of followers or enthusiasts

Afterpreposition

Used to indicate recent completion of an activity

I was after finishing my dinner when there was a knock on the door.

Followingnoun

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture;

the culprit started to run and the cop took off in pursuit

Afterpreposition

(dated) According to an author or text.

Followingadjective

going or proceeding or coming after in the same direction;

the crowd of following cars made the occasion seem like a paradetried to outrun the following footsteps

Afterpreposition

Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to.

to look after workmen; to enquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness

Followingadjective

in the desired direction;

a following wind

Afterpreposition

(obsolete) According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting.

Followingadjective

immediately following in time or order;

the following daynext in linethe next presidentthe next item on the list

Afterconjunction

Signifies that the action of the clause it starts takes place before the action of the other clause.

I went home after we had decided to call it a day.

Followingadjective

about to be mentioned or specified;

the following items

Afteradjective

(dated) Later; second (of two); next, following, subsequent

Afteradjective

At or towards the stern of a ship.

The after gun is mounted aft.The after gun is abaft the forward gun.

Afteradjective

located farther aft

Afteradverb

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time;

he apologized subsequentlyhe's going to the store but he'll be back here laterit didn't happen until afterwardtwo hours after that

Afteradverb

behind or in the rear;

and Jill came tumbling after