the followed steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the followed steps" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "the following steps," which is used to refer to steps that are about to be listed or described. Example: "Please review the following steps to complete the application process."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Among them, peak picking is the most important and tricky step and it is also the prerequisite for all the followed steps (see e.g., [2,3]).

Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The procedures of the proposed hybrid algorithm are summarized as the follows, Step-1.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

To do this, here are the steps you must follow: Step One: The Context.

Forbes

To do so, follow the following steps.

Harvard University

We followed the steps until we were under the bridge.

The Guardian - Books

But for the time being, follow the steps above.

WikiHow

To get the spells, follow these steps.

WikiHow

The remaining steps followed the kit instructions.

BMC Plant Biology

Follow the step-by-step instructions.

Cornell University

Follow the steps on the form.

Princeton University

Follow the steps on the student activity sheets.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the following steps" to introduce a list of actions. This is the grammatically correct and widely accepted phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "followed" as an adjective before "steps" when referring to actions you are about to describe. "Followed" implies completion, while "following" indicates what will come next.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the followed steps" is intended to function as a noun phrase, likely meant to refer to a sequence of actions that have been completed. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the phrasing is grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "the followed steps" might seem like a logical way to refer to a sequence of actions, Ludwig AI advises that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "the following steps" when introducing a list. Although the example from Ludwig presents instances of its usage, it is best to use alternative phrasings such as "the subsequent steps" or rephrase to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity, particularly in formal or professional contexts. Using "the following steps" ensures clarity and avoids potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the subsequent steps

Replaces "followed" with "subsequent", emphasizing a sequence in time.

the ensuing steps

Uses "ensuing" to indicate steps that come immediately after.

the preceding steps

Emphasizes steps that happened before, instead of after.

the outlined procedure

Refers to a previously described set of actions.

the indicated method

Highlights a specific, suggested way of doing something.

the prescribed course of action

Implies an officially recommended or required series of steps.

the adopted approach

Focuses on the method chosen or implemented.

the applied technique

Emphasizes the specific method used in a particular situation.

the implemented strategy

Highlights the execution of a plan or strategy.

the completed actions

Shifts the focus to actions that have already been finished.

FAQs

What is the correct way to refer to steps that will be described?

Use "the following steps" instead of "the followed steps". The term "the following steps" is the standard way to introduce a list of actions or instructions.

Can I use "followed" to describe steps in the past?

Yes, you can use "followed" to describe steps that have already been completed. For example, "We "followed the steps" outlined in the manual."

What are some alternatives to "the following steps"?

Alternatives include "the steps below", "the subsequent steps", or "the ensuing steps", depending on the context.

Is "the followed steps" ever grammatically correct?

While rarely used and generally discouraged, "the followed steps" might be acceptable in very specific contexts where you want to emphasize that certain steps were indeed adhered to, though rephrasing is usually preferable. For example: "The positive outcome was a direct result of "the followed steps"."