which follow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which follow" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to items, statements, or information that come after the phrase in a text. Example: "The rules which follow must be adhered to by all participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We need the following inequalities which follow from (2): (17).

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

The algorithm has the following steps (see Fig. 4), which follow from Lemma 2.1.

Bioinformatics

Tells about the new Cabinet including economic plans which follow Sachs' suggestions.

The New Yorker

The Taconic is among the original "parked driveways," which follow the contours of a region.

The New York Times

It's hard to exactly transcribe the verbal exclamations which follow this.

The Guardian - Travel

Our thinking - and Numenta's software - is based on forecasts, which follow from memories.

The Guardian - Tech

A dear friend of Mr. Mason's recently shared his thoughts, which follow.

The New York Times

GRACE employs two satellites, which follow each other in orbit around the Earth.

The New Yorker

His impressions of the weather, which follow the numerical record, are often just that impressions.

The New York Times

Index funds, which follow various market indices, have provided no shelter.

The New York Times

Ms. Schulman kept a diary of her experiences at the lab, excerpts from which follow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which follow", ensure that the antecedent is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The steps which follow are important", specify "The steps which follow this introduction are important."

Common error

Avoid using "that" when "which" is required for nonrestrictive clauses. "That" is used for essential clauses that define the noun, whereas "which" introduces additional, non-essential information. For instance, use "the rules which follow" instead of "the rules that follow" if the rules are merely being added to, not strictly defining, the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which follow" functions as a relative clause, connecting additional information to a preceding noun or noun phrase. As Ludwig AI shows, it typically introduces a clause that describes something coming after the initial subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which follow" is a versatile relative clause used to provide additional information about a preceding noun or phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal writing. While generally neutral to formal, it's important to use "which" correctly to introduce nonrestrictive clauses, differentiating it from "that", which introduces essential information. For alternative phrasings, consider "that come after" or "that ensue" to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which come next

Replaces 'follow' with 'come next' making it more direct and less formal.

that come after

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary to convey the sequential aspect.

that ensue

This option provides a more formal and slightly more emphatic way to express consequence or sequence.

that result

This phrase emphasizes the consequence or outcome more directly than the sequential aspect.

that proceed

This alternative emphasizes the forward movement or progression in a sequence.

that arise

Implies that something originates or emerges from a previous action or event.

that develop

This option is suitable when describing how something unfolds or evolves after a certain point.

that stem from

Highlights the origin or cause that leads to subsequent events or results.

that derive

Indicates that later elements are obtained or developed from earlier ones.

that supervene

A more technical term suggesting a close, dependent relationship where one thing directly determines another.

FAQs

How do I use "which follow" in a sentence?

Use "which follow" to introduce additional information about something previously mentioned. For example, "The ingredients, "which follow", are all locally sourced."

What's the difference between "which follow" and "that follow"?

"Which follow" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, providing extra information. "That follow" introduces a restrictive clause, essential to the sentence's meaning. Use "which" with a comma before it, and "that" without a comma. For example, "The instructions, "which follow", are detailed" vs "The instructions "that follow" are for advanced users."

What can I say instead of "which follow"?

You can use alternatives like "that come after", "that ensue", or "that result depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "which follow"?

It's generally correct to use "which follow" in nonrestrictive clauses. However, ensure the clause truly provides additional, non-essential information. If the information is crucial to defining the subject, "that follow" might be more appropriate.