the three following

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the three following" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to three things that will be mentioned after the phrase is used. For example, "The three following steps are necessary to complete this project: Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They excluded the year of a known large eruption from their calculations and the three following it, however.

The Economist

When the magazine was being introduced, he insisted that any ad buyer who wanted space in the first issue would also have to buy the three following issues.

The New York Times

Reuters provided transcripts of initial interviews with the three following their release, and offered to make them available for interview by investigators.

The Guardian

We highlight the three following issues.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The three following definitions formalize an exact-match query.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

We compare our methods with the three following methods.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In each of the three following canoes, there were two women.

Forbes

The three following topics have been the focus of trend investigations.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

The procurement of the RF sources will be shared equally between the three following partners: Europe, Japan and Russia.

Fusion Engineering and Design

In the three following years the CH pain usually recurred in January or February, showing a clear seasonal variation.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Consider the three following group properties: (NA) non-amenability,   (Fr) containing non-abelian free groups,   (La) being large.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the three following", ensure that the items you are referring to are clearly and concisely listed immediately after the phrase for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the three following" without explicitly listing or detailing the three items being referred to, as this can confuse readers and diminish clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the three following" serves as a determiner phrase that introduces a list or enumeration of three items. It alerts the reader that three specific items will be subsequently detailed, enhancing clarity and organization. As shown in Ludwig, its grammatical function is well-established and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the three following" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively introduces a list of three items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is primarily employed to structure information and guide readers through subsequent details. While its formality leans towards neutral to formal contexts, it is versatile enough for various writing styles. To maximize clarity, ensure that the three items are clearly listed directly after the phrase. Remember, though, that alternatives like "the subsequent three" or "the next three" can also be employed for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the subsequent three

Replaces 'following' with 'subsequent', indicating a sequence in time or order, maintaining a formal tone.

the next three

Uses 'next' to denote immediacy and direct succession, simplifying the phrasing.

the upcoming three

Employs 'upcoming' to suggest anticipation of what is to come, adding a slight emphasis on expectation.

the ensuing three

Substitutes 'following' with 'ensuing', highlighting a direct consequence or immediate result.

the three listed below

Specifies the location of the items being referred to, providing clarity on where to find them.

the three outlined hereafter

Replaces "following" with "outlined hereafter" for a more formal and structured indication that the items will be specified in the text

the three detailed herein

Replaces "following" with "detailed herein" for a more formal and structured indication that the items will be specified in the text

these three points

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize specific points, reducing the focus on sequence.

the undermentioned three

Uses 'undermentioned' to refer to items mentioned later in the text, providing a formal alternative.

the succeeding three

Employs 'succeeding' to emphasize the sequential nature of the items, indicating a clear order.

FAQs

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

Use "the three following" to introduce a list of three items that will be subsequently discussed or described. For example, "The three following reasons explain the project's success: dedication, innovation, and teamwork."

What are some alternatives to "the three following"?

You can use alternatives such as "the subsequent three", "the next three", or "these three points" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "the following three" or "the three following"?

"The three following" is more commonly used when the items are listed immediately after the phrase. "The following three" is also acceptable, but less frequent in this specific construction.

When should I use "the three following" instead of a numbered list?

Use "the three following" when you want to introduce three specific points or items within a paragraph or sentence, rather than creating a separate numbered list. It provides a more integrated flow within your writing.