I have following (the following) questions

Many writers drop the definite article and write "I have following questions," which sounds wrong in running text. Decide whether "following" is a determiner (like "these") introducing a specific list-use "the"-or a participle/preposition meaning "after" (as in "following the meeting")-no "the".

Quick answer

Put "the" before "following" when it introduces specific items or a list: "the following [noun]". Omit "the" only in terse headings/labels or when you replace the phrase with "here are" or "these".

Correct (sentence): I have the following questions.
Wrong (sentence): I have following questions.
Heading exception: "Following steps:" works as a slide title, but not in full sentences.

Core explanation: when "the" is required

When "following" comes directly before a noun it usually acts like a demonstrative determiner and points to items that come next. Determiners that introduce a specific set of items take the article: "the following items."

If you omit "the" in a full sentence the phrase sounds incomplete or headline-like. When "following" comes after a noun, it usually means "after" and doesn't need "the" ("the week following the event").

Determiner (needs "the"): The following questions are required.
Temporal/participial (no "the"): Following the meeting, we ran tests.

Grammar details: agreement and placement

"The following" is a determiner phrase: "the" marks something specific; "following" points to items listed next. Match the verb to the noun: "The following is..." versus "The following items are...".

When "following" follows a noun, it typically means "after" and is not part of the determiner system: "the tasks following the meeting are urgent."

Singular: The following is a list of changes.
Plural: The following changes are required.
After a noun = "after": The tasks following the meeting are urgent.

Hyphenation and spacing: quick rules

"The following" is two words with a space; never hyphenate it. Don't confuse "following" with "follow-up": the latter is often hyphenated as a compound adjective (follow-up call).

Headlines or slide titles may drop articles for space, but that shorthand doesn't apply to running prose.

the following - correct
the-following or thefollowing - incorrect
follow-up (as adjective) - correct: follow-up email

Real usage: ready-to-copy examples (work, school, casual)

Below are common contexts where writers drop "the." Each context includes wrong/right pairs you can copy.

Work
Wrong: I have following concerns about the contract.
Right: I have the following concerns about the contract.
Wrong: Attached are following documents for review.
Right: Attached are the following documents for review.
Wrong: Please address following action items by Friday.
Right: Please address the following action items by Friday.
School
Wrong: Following assignments will be graded next week.
Right: The following assignments will be graded next week.
Wrong: I have following questions about the assignment.
Right: I have the following questions about the assignment.
Wrong: Following is the list of materials needed for lab.
Right: The following is the list of materials needed for lab.
Casual
Wrong: I have following ideas for the weekend.
Right: I have the following ideas for the weekend.
Wrong: Following are the pics from the trip.
Right: Here are the pics from the trip. (Or: The following are the pics from the trip.)
Wrong: Following items in my bag: wallet, keys, charger.
Right: Items in my bag: wallet, keys, charger. (Or: The following items are in my bag.)

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. If the sentence reads naturally with "the following" replaced by "these" or "here are," use the clearer version.

Examples: quick wrong → right pairs (copyable)

Sixteen tight pairs covering the most frequent forms. Generally insert "the" before "following" in sentences or choose an alternative phrasing.

1_wrong: I have following questions.
1_right: I have the following questions.
2_wrong: Following are the steps to reset your password.
2_right: The following are the steps to reset your password.
3_wrong: Attached following files for your review.
3_right: Attached are the following files for your review.
4_wrong: Following information can be found on the website.
4_right: The following information can be found on the website.
5_wrong: Following examples demonstrate the rule.
5_right: The following examples demonstrate the rule.
6_wrong: Please review following points before signing.
6_right: Please review the following points before signing.

Rewrite help: three fast repair strategies

Pick one of these fixes: insert "the," replace with a natural phrase, or rearrange the sentence.

Insert "the": add "the" before "following" when it introduces specific items.
Replace with "Here are" or "These" for an informal tone-often clearer and friendlier.
Rearrange the sentence: "Following are..." → "The following are..." or "Here are...".

Wrong: I have following questions about the syllabus. → Fix: I have the following questions about the syllabus.
Wrong: Following are my suggestions. → Fixes: "Here are my suggestions." or "The following are my suggestions."
Wrong: Attached following files. → Fixes: "Attached are the following files." or "I've attached the following files."
Wrong: Following items should be returned. → Fix: "The following items should be returned." or "Please return these items: ..."

Memory trick and quick checklist

Mnemonic: If you can swap in "these" or "here are" smoothly, "the following" is probably the right choice.

Step 1: Is "following" introducing a list? If yes → you likely need "the."
Step 2: Is it a heading or label? If yes → dropping "the" can be acceptable.
Step 3: Want a friendlier tone? Replace "the following" with "here are" or "these."
Quick test: Replace "the following books" with "these books" - if it works, use "the following."

Similar mistakes and related traps

Common confusions include "as follows," incorrect prepositions, and mixing "following" with "follow-up." Fixes are straightforward.

Wrong: As following, we recommend the changes. →
Right: As follows: we recommend the changes. (Or: We recommend the following changes.)
Wrong: Following to the webinar, you will receive a certificate. →
Right: Following the webinar, you will receive a certificate. (Or: After the webinar, you will receive a certificate.)
Wrong: The following-up items →
Right: The follow-up items (if you mean items related to follow-up) or The following items (if you mean the items listed next).

FAQ

Do you always need "the" before "following"?

In full sentences that introduce a specific list, yes-use "the." You can omit it in headings, labels, or very brief notes.

Can I write "Following are the steps"?

In prose, prefer "The following are the steps" or "Here are the steps." "Following are the steps" sounds like a headline or awkward inversion.

Is "following information" ever correct without "the"?

Only in headings or labels. In running text, write "the following information" (e.g., "Please see the following information").

What's the difference between "following" and "follow-up"?

"Following" can be a determiner or a participle meaning "after." "Follow-up" is usually hyphenated when used as a compound adjective (follow-up call). They differ in meaning and formatting.

Quick fix if I'm unsure?

Insert "the" before "following" or replace the phrase with "here are" or "these." Use the three-step checklist: Is it a list? Is it a heading? Do you prefer a friendlier tone? Apply the corresponding fix.

Still unsure about one sentence?

Run the sentence through a grammar checker or try the "replace with 'these' or 'here are'" test. If the replacement reads naturally, use the clearer phrasing.

For a one-line review, paste the sentence into a checker to see whether it recommends adding "the" or suggests a smoother rewrite.