Following vs. Next: What's the Difference?

By Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 22, 2024

"Following" indicates something that comes immediately after, often in sequence or order, while "Next" refers to what comes immediately after the present moment or position, emphasizing immediate succession.

Key Differences

"Following" is commonly used to indicate something that occurs directly after a specific event or point in a sequence. For example, "The following chapters will discuss the results." It suggests a direct link or sequence, often in written or spoken instructions. "Next" emphasizes what comes immediately after in a more general sense, often referring to time, position, or order. For instance, "The next meeting is scheduled for Monday." It denotes immediate succession without necessarily implying a sequence related to a previous event.

In instructions or guides, "following" is often used to indicate the steps that come directly after a given point. "Next" is used to highlight the very next step or item, often focusing on immediacy.

In narratives or storytelling, "following" helps maintain a sense of sequence and progression. "Next" often introduces the immediate subsequent event or action, helping to move the narrative forward quickly.

"Following" is more formal and is often used in academic or professional contexts. "Next" is more commonly used in everyday language, emphasizing what comes immediately after the current point or moment.

When giving directions, "following" might be used to describe steps after the initial ones, while "next" indicates the immediate upcoming step. For example, "Take the following left turn" versus "Take the next left turn."

In summaries or reports, "following" is used to list items or points that come after a mention. "Next" is used to introduce the immediate point or item in the sequence.

Comparison Chart

Usage

Indicates sequence after a specific point

Indicates immediate succession

Context

Often used in formal or instructional contexts

Commonly used in everyday language

Emphasis

Focuses on order and sequence

Focuses on immediacy and succession

Formality

More formal

Less formal

Example

"The following chapters..."

"The next meeting..."

Following and Next Definitions

Following

In accordance with.

We acted following your advice.

Coming after the current or previous one.

What’s the next step?

Following

The people who support or admire someone.

The singer has a loyal following.

Immediately after in time or order.

Who's next in line?

Following

Subsequent in time or order.

Please read the following instructions carefully.

Nearest in space or position; adjacent

The next room.

Following

Coming next in time or order

In the following chapter.

Immediately following, as in time, order, or sequence

Next week.

The next item on the list.

Following

Now to be enumerated

The following people will report for duty.

In the time, order, or place nearest or immediately following

Reading this book next.

Our next oldest child.

Following

Blowing in the same direction as the course of a ship or aircraft. Used of wind.

On the first subsequent occasion

When next I write.

Following

A group or gathering of admirers, adherents, or disciples

A lecturer with a large following.

The next person or thing

The next will be better.

Following

The item or items to be mentioned next

Please buy the following.

In place or position, having nothing similar intervening; adjoining.

The man in the next bunk kept me awake all night with his snoring.

She lives a mile or two away, in the next village.

Following

Subsequent to; after

Following dinner, brandy was served in the study.

(obsolete) Most direct, or shortest or nearest in distance or time.

Following

Coming next, either in sequence or in time.

See the following section.

Nearest in order, succession, or rank; immediately following (or sometimes preceding) in order.

Please turn to the next page.

On Wednesday next, I'm going to Spain.

The next chapter; the next week; the Sunday next before Easter

The man was driven by his love for money and his desire to become the next Bill Gates.

Following

About to be specified.

The following words have no definition...

Nearest in relationship. next of kin.}}

Next friend

Following

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

The following wind sped us on our way.

Denotes the one immediately following the current or most recent one.

Next week would be a good time to meet.

I'll know better next time.

Following

After, subsequent to.

Following the meeting, we all had a chat.

(of days of the week or months of the year) Closest in the future, or closest but one if the closest is very soon; of days, sometimes thought to specifically refer to the instance closest to seven days (one week) in the future.

The party is next Tuesday; that is, not tomorrow, but eight days from now.

When you say next Thursday, do you mean Thursday this week or Thursday next week?

Following

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

He had a loyal following.

In a time, place, rank or sequence closest or following.

They live in the next closest house.

It's the next best thing to ice cream.

Following

Vocation; business; profession.

(conjunctive) So as to follow in time or sequence something previously mentioned.

First we removed all the handles; next, we stripped off the old paint.

Following

(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.

On the first subsequent occasion.

Financial panic, earthquakes, oil spills, riots. What comes next?

When we next meet, you'll be married.

Following

Present participle of follow

On the side of; nearest or adjacent to; next to.

Following

One's followers, adherents, or dependents, collectively.

The one that follows after this one.

Next, please, don't hold up the queue!

One moment she was there, the next she wasn't.

The week after next

Following

Vocation; business; profession.

Nearest in place; having no similar object intervening.

Her princely guestWas next her side; in order sat the rest.

Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way.

Following

Next after; succeeding; ensuing; as, the assembly was held on the following day.

Nearest in time; as, the next day or hour.

Following

In the field of a telescope) In the direction from which stars are apparently moving (in consequence of the earth's rotation); as, a small star, north following or south following. In the direction toward which stars appear to move is called preceding.

Adjoining in a series; immediately preceding or following in order.

None could tell whose turn should be the next.

Following

A group of followers or enthusiasts

Nearest in degree, quality, rank, right, or relation; as, the next heir was an infant.

The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

Following

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

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

In the time, place, or order nearest or immediately succeeding; as, this man follows next.

Following

Going or proceeding or coming after in the same direction;

The crowd of following cars made the occasion seem like a parade

Tried to outrun the following footsteps

Nearest in space or position; immediately adjoining without intervening space;

Had adjacent rooms

In the next room

The person sitting next to me

Our rooms were side by side

Following

In the desired direction;

A following wind

(of elected officers) elected but not yet serving;

Our next president

Following

Immediately following in time or order;

The following day

Next in line

The next president

The next item on the list

Immediately following in time or order;

The following day

Next in line

The next president

The next item on the list

Following

About to be mentioned or specified;

The following items

At the time or occasion immediately following;

Next the doctor examined his back

Following

Coming directly after something else.

The following day, it rained heavily.

Nearest in position.

The store is next to the post office.

Following

Attending or observing closely.

She has a large following on social media.

The nearest or most immediate one.

The next bus arrives in 10 minutes.

FAQs

Can "following" and "next" be used interchangeably?

Not always; "following" emphasizes sequence while "next" emphasizes immediacy.

What does "following" mean?

"Following" means coming directly after something else, often indicating a sequence or order.

Example of "following" in instructions?

"Read the following instructions carefully."

How is "next" used in a sentence?

"Next" is used to refer to something immediately after in time or position, like "The next bus arrives soon."

When to use "following" in academic writing?

Use "following" to denote subsequent points in a structured manner.

Is "following" more formal than "next"?

Yes, "following" is generally more formal than "next."

Difference in context for "following" and "next"?

"Following" is often used in formal or instructional contexts, while "next" is used in casual or immediate contexts.

How does "next" function in a list?

"Next" identifies the immediate item following the current one.

Example of "next" in everyday language?

"What’s the next item on the agenda?"

Can "next" describe proximity?

Yes, as in "The library is next to the café."

Use of "following" in reports?

"The following data was collected from the survey."

Use of "next" in schedules?

"The next meeting is at 10 AM."

Is "following" used in narratives?

Yes, to maintain sequence and progression in storytelling.

Casual alternative to "following"?

"After" can be used in a more casual context instead of "following."

When to use "next" in conversation?

Use "next" to refer to the immediate subsequent event or item.

What does "following" imply in a sequence?

It implies something that comes directly after in a structured order.

Can "following" be used to describe supporters?

Yes, as in "The politician has a strong following."

Formal alternative to "next"?

"Subsequent" can be used as a more formal alternative.

Does "next" indicate immediate action?

Yes, it indicates the very next step or event.

Are "following" and "next" synonyms?

They are related but not exact synonyms; they have different nuances.

Bookling vs. Book

Annunciate vs. Enunciate

About Author

Written by

Aimie Carlson

Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.