what follows

USAGE SUMMARY

"what follows" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will be stated or discussed next. For example, "As I mentioned earlier, sleep is an important factor in physical and mental health. What follows are a few tips for getting a good night's rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But what follows?

The New York Times

But look what follows.

Yale University

If temporary, what follows?

The Guardian - Arts

And what follows that?

The Guardian

What follows is even funnier.

The New York Times - Arts

What follows is a sample.

The New York Times - Travel

What follows are their stories.

The New York Times

What follows proves intriguingly poised.

The Guardian - Film

What follows is sheer curmudgeonry.

The New York Times

What follows the fine words?

The Guardian - Opinion

What follows is classic Uncharted.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what follows" to clearly signal that you are about to present a direct consequence, result, or further elaboration on a topic. This helps guide the reader through your argument or narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "what is following" when you mean "what follows". The former implies a continuous or ongoing process, while the latter is a more direct and concise way to introduce subsequent information or events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what follows" functions as an introductory phrase, typically preceding a clause or sentence that presents subsequent information, results, or events. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts to signal the continuation of a narrative or argument.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what follows" is a versatile phrase used to introduce subsequent information or events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts. The phrase functions as a signal to the reader, guiding them to the next part of the narrative or argument. While alternatives like "what ensues" or "what comes next" exist, "what follows" maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal settings. Its consistent use in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what ensues

Replaces "follows" with "ensues", implying a consequence or result that naturally proceeds from something.

what then occurs

Adds a sense of temporal order and anticipation.

what comes next

Emphasizes the sequential order of events or information.

the subsequent events

Highlights the events that happen after a specific point in time.

the succeeding details

Emphasizes that detailed information will be provided subsequently.

the aftermath

Focuses on the consequences or results that occur after an event.

the resulting action

Highlights the direct outcome or action that happens because of something else.

the proceeding information

Refers specifically to information that will be presented next.

the next phase

Implies a structured progression or stage in a process.

the upshot

Focuses on the final result or conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "what follows" in a sentence?

Use "what follows" to introduce information or events that come directly after a statement. For example, "After the introduction, "what follows" is a detailed analysis of the data".

What's a more formal way to say "what follows"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "the subsequent events", "the ensuing results", or "the proceeding information". These alternatives are suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it correct to say "what is following" instead of "what follows"?

While "what is following" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less common and can sound awkward. "What follows" is generally preferred for its conciseness and clarity.

What's the difference between "what follows" and "as follows"?

"What follows" introduces a narrative sequence or logical consequence. "As follows" introduces a list or detailed explanation. For example, "The steps are as follows: first, second, third".