following which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "following which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action that occurs after something else has taken place. For example: "We discussed the matter thoroughly, following which we came to an agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bez was first bankrupted in August 2004, following which he signed up for Celebrity Big Brother.

The Guardian - Music

His Twitter following, which was more than a million, outnumbered Newark residents almost four to one.

The New Yorker

The Web site developed a cult following, which gave a boost to the low-budget film.

The New York Times - Arts

Among them are the following, which are so freighted with topical relevance it's not even funny.

The Guardian - Books

Businesses can tap into their social media following, which often includes incredibly relevant candidates.

The Guardian

Of the following, which could be the total number of these pets?

The New York Times

injection or convection enhanced delivery (CED) to rats bearing F98 gliomas following which BNCT was initiated.

Applied Radiation and Isotopes

No side effects were observed following, which showed therapeutic potential for improving age-related cognitive performance.

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

They were given 1 minute to explore the room, following which the mirror was uncovered.

Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research

King was acquitted at the second, following which the CPS abandoned the third.

Independent

He started with the following (which I am paraphrasing): Welcome to Enterprise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "following which" to clearly indicate a sequence of events where the order is important. It's particularly useful in formal writing and scientific reports to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "following which" in very casual or informal writing; simpler alternatives like "after that" or "then" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following which" serves as an adverbial connector, indicating that the action in the main clause occurs directly after the event described in the preceding clause. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "following which" is a grammatically sound and useful tool for indicating sequence in formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While common in scientific and news reporting, it should be used sparingly in informal writing, where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. Understanding its function and purpose, as well as its register, will help you effectively incorporate "following which" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after which

This alternative is structurally similar but slightly more concise.

subsequently

This alternative is a single word, offering a more concise way to indicate that something happens after something else.

thereafter

This word is a formal synonym that implies a period of time after a specific event.

after that

A more direct and simple way to indicate sequence, suitable for less formal contexts.

then

A short and simple way to indicate sequence, best suited for informal writing.

in the aftermath

This phrase emphasizes the period directly following an event, often implying consequences.

as a result

This alternative explicitly states a cause-and-effect relationship between the two events.

consequently

This term emphasizes that the second event is a result or consequence of the first.

in the wake of

This phrase suggests that the following events are a direct result and consequence of the initial event.

upon completion of

This phrase focuses on the completion of the first event as the trigger for the second.

FAQs

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

Use "following which" to connect two clauses where the second action immediately succeeds the first. For example: "The experiment was conducted, "following which" the results were analyzed."

What are some alternatives to "following which"?

You can use alternatives such as "subsequently", "thereafter", or "after that" depending on the formality of the context.

Is "following which" formal or informal?

"Following which" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual contexts, alternatives like "after that" or "then" are more appropriate.

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

"After which" and "following which" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. "Following which" may imply a slightly more immediate sequence of events.