directly following

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "directly following" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate something that comes immediately after something else in a sequence or order. Example: "The instructions for the project are outlined in the section directly following this introduction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And directly following on from it, after the two finalists are given a free car.

The Guardian

A reception will be held directly following inurnment at The Steakhouse, Marriott Key Bridge, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22209.

The New York Times

Munson's three-spade cue bid with the North hand is commoner for the responder, directly following an overcall.

The New York Times - Arts

The family will receive friends at the Roger Sherman Inn in New Canaan directly following the service.

The New York Times

17, directly following a mounting of the production at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass.

The New York Times

This is designed to help overtaking by reducing drag off the car it is directly following.

Independent

Last Friday, writing on his Tumblr, he addressed the producer Ken Ehrlich and the writer David Wild directly, following their intimation that his last Grammys performance was subpar.

The New Yorker

France have claimed the Six Nations title in every year directly following a Lions tour, and remain in contention heading into the final weekend's action.

The Guardian - Sport

It has lost seven times in England this season — five of those directly following games in the Champions League.

The New York Times - Sports

Frisk quit as a referee after his children received death threats, in English, directly following Mourinho's remarks.

The New York Times - Sports

I confirmed the fact with Microsoft directly, following the statement.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "directly following", ensure that the sequence of events is clear and unambiguous. Avoid using it in contexts where the temporal relationship is not immediately obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "directly following" when you intend to imply a causal relationship. While the phrase indicates sequence, it doesn't inherently suggest that one event caused the other. Use phrases like "as a result of" or "due to" to indicate causation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly following" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the timing or sequence of events. It indicates that an event occurs immediately after another, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "directly following" is a versatile adverbial phrase that accurately describes events occurring immediately after one another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in scientific, news and formal writing. While alternatives like "immediately after" and "right after" exist, "directly following" offers a slightly more formal and precise tone. Remember to avoid using it when implying causation and to ensure that the temporal sequence is clear. The phrase’s high frequency and consistent usage in authoritative sources underscore its reliability and usefulness in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately after

This alternative emphasizes the temporal proximity, being almost simultaneous.

instantly after

This alternative emphasizes the immediate nature of the second event.

straight after

This phrase highlights the lack of delay between the two events.

right after

This phrase is more informal and emphasizes the immediate succession of events.

at once after

Highlights that the second event happens without any delay.

subsequent to

This alternative is more formal and indicates a sequence of events, one coming after the other.

on the heels of

Suggests the second event closely pursues the first.

close upon

Indicates a very short interval between two events.

in the wake of

This implies that the first event causes or influences the second.

forthwith after

A more archaic and formal way to express immediacy.

FAQs

How can I use "directly following" in a sentence?

Use "directly following" to indicate that something happens immediately after something else. For example, "The reception will be held "directly following inurnment"".

What phrases are similar to "directly following"?

Alternatives to "directly following" include "immediately after", "right after", or "subsequent to", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "immediate following" instead of "directly following"?

While "immediate following" may be understood, "directly following" is the more common and grammatically standard phrase.

What is the difference between "directly following" and "after"?

"After" indicates that one event happens at some point subsequent to another. "Directly following" specifies that there is no significant time gap between the two events.