which followed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'which followed' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to connect two parts of a sentence, referring to the second part as something that comes after the first. For example: I had to complete a difficult task, which followed an extensive period of training.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Which followed which into the woodpile.

The New Yorker

Nor was the advertising work which followed.

Independent

"Kreisleriana," which followed, was befuddling.

The New Yorker

Tells about the question period which followed.

The New Yorker

The second, which followed within the hour, was longer.

The New York Times

So did "Encore," which followed, and served as a finale.

The New York Times - Arts

Yes, we backed the action which followed September 11.

The Guardian

Tells about the disastrous coup which followed the election.

The New Yorker

Police believe the shooting, which followed an argument, is domestic.

The New York Times

"Dawn," which followed, spread out in a patient, ethereal rubato.

The New York Times - Arts

Mystery surrounds the incident, which followed a property dispute.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which followed" to clearly establish a chronological order between two events or actions in your writing. This helps to improve the flow and readability of your text.

Common error

Ensure that the "which" clause correctly refers to the noun or event it is intended to modify. Avoid ambiguity by placing the clause directly after the noun it describes. For example, avoid sentences where it's unclear what exactly "which followed" is referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which followed" functions as a relative clause, connecting and providing additional information about a preceding noun or event. Ludwig confirms this usage, providing numerous examples of its correct application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which followed" is a versatile relative clause used to connect events in chronological order. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to ensure the "which" clause clearly refers to its intended antecedent to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "that ensued" or "that came after" can provide similar meaning but may slightly alter the emphasis. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use "which followed" to enhance clarity and flow in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that came next

Simple and direct way of indicating the next event in a sequence.

that came after

Directly indicates a temporal sequence, emphasizing the order of events.

that ensued

Focuses on the immediate consequence or result of an action.

that resulted

Emphasizes the outcome or effect of a preceding action.

that arose subsequently

Indicates that something emerged or developed after a certain point.

that proceeded from

Highlights the origin or cause leading to a subsequent event.

that postdated

Formally denotes that something occurred at a later date.

that transpired next

Highlights the unfolding of events in a chronological order.

that unfolded thereafter

Implies a gradual revelation or development following an initial event.

that supervened

Suggests something that occurred unexpectedly or as an addition.

FAQs

How to use "which followed" in a sentence?

Use "which followed" to introduce a relative clause that describes something that occurred after a previous event. For example: "The presentation, "which followed" the keynote, provided detailed insights."

What can I say instead of "which followed"?

You can use alternatives like "that ensued", "that came after", or "that resulted" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "which followed" or "that followed"?

"Which followed" and "that followed" can often be used interchangeably, but "which followed" is generally used for nonrestrictive clauses (adding extra information), while "that followed" is used for restrictive clauses (essential information).

What's the difference between "which followed" and "what ensued"?

"Which followed" is a direct indicator of chronological order, while "what ensued" emphasizes the immediate consequence or result of an action.