the next thing is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the next thing is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce the following step or point in a sequence of actions or ideas. Example: "We have completed the initial phase of the project. The next thing is to gather feedback from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The next thing is cultural.

Yale University

The next thing is covariance.

Yale University

The next thing is to create standards.

The New York Times - Sports

"The next thing is volume.

The New York Times - Arts

The next thing is to use it.

MIT Technology Review

And the next thing is, short sentences.

The New York Times

The next thing is kids and education.

The Guardian - Money

Probably the next thing is private life.

The Guardian - Money

"The next thing is everything in the world changes".

The New York Times

The next thing is, Has he got a brain?

The New York Times

The next thing is he's best friends with the mayor.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the next thing is" to clearly signal the progression of steps in a process, argument, or narrative. This helps maintain clarity and guide your audience through the information.

Common error

Avoid using "the next thing is" repeatedly in close proximity. This can make your writing sound repetitive and monotonous. Instead, vary your transitional phrases using alternatives like "subsequently", "following that", or simply "then".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the next thing is" functions as a transitional phrase, primarily used to introduce the subsequent step, action, or idea in a sequence. As shown by Ludwig, it clearly signals progression and helps guide the audience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

28%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the next thing is" serves as a highly versatile transitional phrase, widely used to signal progression in arguments, processes, and narratives. As Ludwig AI underlines, it’s considered grammatically correct and is extremely common across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. While highly useful, it's essential to avoid overuse for a polished and engaging writing style. Consider varying your transitional phrases with alternatives to ensure your writing remains dynamic. It's a reliable tool for structuring information and guiding your audience effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Next up is

This alternative is more informal and often used in presentations or lists.

The subsequent step is

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a process or procedure.

Following that is

This alternative highlights the temporal sequence of events.

After that comes

This alternative clearly indicates a chronological order.

The next step involves

This alternative specifies the action that needs to be performed.

Subsequently

This alternative is a concise adverb indicating what follows.

The logical consequence is

This alternative stresses the logical sequence between actions or ideas.

Moving forward

This alternative is often used to transition to the next topic or phase.

What follows is

This alternative sets up the introduction of what will happen or be discussed next.

Thereafter

This alternative is a formal way to say "after that" or "subsequently".

FAQs

How can I use "the next thing is" in a sentence?

Use "the next thing is" to introduce a subsequent step, action, or idea in a sequence. For example, "We finished the planning phase; "the next thing is" to start executing the plan".

What can I say instead of "the next thing is"?

You can use alternatives like "next up is", "the subsequent step is", or "following that is" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the next thing are" instead of "the next thing is"?

No, "the next thing are" is grammatically incorrect. Use ""the next thing is"" because "thing" is singular and requires a singular verb.

What is the difference between "the next thing is" and "the next thing to do is"?

While both phrases introduce a subsequent step, "the next thing to do is" explicitly emphasizes an action that needs to be performed, whereas ""the next thing is"" can introduce an action, idea, or event.