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Prepositions after adjectives

following with prepositions

The adjective and noun following usually do not take fixed prepositions such as in, on, to, about, or from. Many combinations are possible only when the preposition belongs to another part of the sentence.

Quick answer

Does following take a preposition?

Following is commonly used without a fixed preposition: the following day, the following reasons. Phrases such as following to or following about are not standard adjective patterns. Prepositions after following usually introduce separate information such as place, direction, or topic.

We discussed the following points at the meeting.
The train arrived on the following day.
The dog ran following behind its owner.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
the following + noun

Referring to the next item or items

Following often appears before a noun to mean next or listed below.

the following chapter explains the process.
Please read the following instructions carefully.
2
following + noun

Describing something that comes next

Following can directly modify a noun without a preposition.

In the following weeks, sales improved.
The following examples show the difference.
3
following from + noun

Showing result or consequence

Following from is possible when following functions more like a participle meaning resulting from.

Several changes are following from the report.
The confusion was following from a translation error.
4
following on from + noun

Continuing from an earlier event or idea

Following on from is an established phrase meaning developing after something else.

Following on from the discussion, the team voted.
New policies were introduced following on from the audit.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
following in
She succeeded in the years following in Paris.
Here in Paris is a place phrase, not a fixed combination with following.
following on
Following on from the announcement, investors reacted quickly.
Following on from means continuing after or as a result of something.
following to
The phrase following to is not a standard adjective pattern in modern English.
Use following or according to depending on the meaning.
following about
The phrase following about is not an idiomatic adjective pattern.
About normally introduces a topic with another verb, such as talking about.
following from
Several benefits are following from the new agreement.
Following from can express a result or consequence.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using following to as a fixed pattern

Following does not normally take to directly as an adjective pattern.

✕ following to the rules ✓ following the rules

Confusing following with according to

Use according to for reported information or sources.

✕ Following the report, profits increased to 10% ✓ According to the report, profits increased to 10%

Adding unnecessary prepositions

Following often works directly before a noun without a preposition.

✕ the following of week ✓ the following week

Using following about for topics

About belongs with verbs such as talk or read, not with following as an adjective.

✕ following about the project ✓ information about the project

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Please review the ___ documents before signing.
2. ___ the meeting, the manager sent a summary.
3. Which phrase is standard English?

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Frequently asked questions

Is following to correct English?

Following to is not a standard adjective pattern in current English.

Can following from mean result?

Yes. Following from can describe something that results from another event or idea.

What is the most common use of following?

Following is most often used before a noun, as in the following day or the following reasons.

face-to-face-with-in-at-for, to "fair to" or "fair in"? faithful to, in, of, with or for? falling of, in, out, into or off? "false in" or "false to"? famed for, as, in or throughout? familiar with, to, from or in? famous for, in, of, by or as? fanatical about, in, as, for or of? "fantastic for" or "fantastic in"? far from, in, to, for or with? fascinating to, about, in, for or as?

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