the following step

USAGE SUMMARY

"the following step" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the next action or task that needs to be taken in a sequence or process. Example: After completing the first two courses, the following step is to choose an elective course.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This study followed the following step wise procedure for measuring volatility spillover.

Financial Innovation

CHs can be decided according to the following step: 1.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The following step consisted in building a 3D gridded model with seven different modeling units.

Comptes Rendus Geoscience

The following step was performing a screening design to select important parameters.

Journal of Chromatography A

The following step, bipartite matching and statistical features are applied to find correspondences between segments.

Expert Systems with Applications

The following step in this travel to unravel PDE7 is the design of more selective inhibitors.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

The following step was the dissociative chemisorption of adsorbed NO by a neighboring carbon site.

Catalysis Today

For the fully observable case, we use the following step factor: (20).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The following step of the algorithm is to select the algorithm settings.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Otherwise, when (9) is not TRUE, the classification has to be done in the following step.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Below, we present the findings from our DCM analyses with the following step-by-step approach.

Cerebral Cortex

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use "the following step" to clearly indicate the sequence of actions. This helps avoid confusion and ensures the reader understands the order in which tasks should be performed.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring that each "the following step" clearly builds upon the previous one. Without a logical connection, readers may struggle to follow the intended process or instructions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the following step" functions as a sequencing marker. It serves to indicate the subsequent action, stage, or instruction in a process, procedure, or list. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

Wiki

22%

News & Media

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the following step" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the next action or stage in a sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in scientific and technical contexts, as well as in general instructions and guides. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure clarity and logical flow when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "the next stage" or "what follows" to add variety to your writing. Ultimately, mastering the use of "the following step" will enhance the clarity and organization of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the subsequent action

Replaces 'step' with 'action', offering a more general term for what comes next.

the next stage

Substitutes 'step' with 'stage', implying a broader phase in a process.

the succeeding phase

Uses 'succeeding' and 'phase' for a more formal tone, referring to a later part of a process.

the ensuing procedure

Replaces 'following' with 'ensuing' and 'step' with 'procedure', suggesting a formal and well-defined process.

the next task

Replaces 'step' with 'task', focusing on a specific action to be performed.

the subsequent move

Replaces 'step' with 'move', implying a strategic action in a sequence.

the proceeding action

Uses 'proceeding' instead of 'following' for a slightly more formal tone.

the next move

Emphasizes the sequential and proactive nature of the action.

the upcoming stage

Replaces 'following' with 'upcoming', emphasizing the imminence of the next phase.

what follows

A concise way to indicate the next action or piece of information.

FAQs

How can I use "the following step" in a sentence?

You can use "the following step" to introduce the next action in a sequence of instructions. For example, "After gathering the materials, the following step is to assemble the frame."

What can I say instead of "the following step"?

You can use alternatives like "the next stage", "the subsequent action", or "what follows" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "the following step" after already listing steps?

While not strictly redundant, consider using variations like "next" or "then" to avoid repetition if the sequential nature is already clear.

What's the difference between "the following step" and "the next step"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "The following step" may subtly imply a closer connection to what was just mentioned, while "the next step" is a more general indicator of sequence.