following
following
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "following" is /ˈfɒloʊɪŋ/.
fol- /ˈfɒl/ - /f/ (voiceless labiodental fricative), /ɒ/ (open-mid back rounded vowel), /l/ (alveolar lateral approximant)
-low- /oʊ/ - /oʊ/ (dipthong as in "goat")
-ing /ɪŋ/ - /ɪ/ (near-close near-front unrounded vowel), /ŋ/ (velar nasal)
Word Form Variations
Verb (present participle/gerund): following (as in "I am following the instructions" or "Following directions is important.")
Adjective: following (as in "the following day")
Noun: following (as in "a large following of fans")
Preposition: following (as in "Following the rain, the sun came out.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb (present participle/gerund)
Definition 1: To move or go after someone or something in order to catch up, pursue, or arrive at the same destination.
Synonyms: pursuing, trailing, chasing, accompanying
Antonyms: leading, preceding, guiding, deterring
Definition 2: To understand or keep up with a particular idea, argument, or development.
Synonyms: grasping, comprehending, understanding, tracking
Antonyms: losing, missing, misunderstanding, failing to grasp
Definition 3: To obey, observe, or act in accordance with a rule, instruction, or example.
Synonyms: obeying, adhering, complying, observing
Antonyms: disobeying, disregarding, ignoring, contravening
Adjective
Definition: Coming after in time, order, or sequence; next.
Synonyms: subsequent, next, ensuing, succeeding
Antonyms: preceding, previous, prior, earlier
Noun
Definition: A group of admirers, supporters, or disciples who regularly attend or pay attention to someone or something.
Synonyms: audience, fans, adherents, supporters, clientele
Antonyms: opposition, detractors, critics, rivals
Preposition
Definition: Subsequent to; as a result of; after.
Synonyms: after, subsequent to, consequent to, resulting from
Antonyms: before, prior to, preceding
Examples of Use
Books:
"His work, therefore, became a model for the following generations of poets, who sought to emulate his mastery of language and form." (From a literary criticism book on Shakespeare)
"She spent the following hour recounting her adventures, much to the amusement and occasional horror of her audience." (From a historical fiction novel)
Newspapers:
"The police issued a statement following the arrest of the suspect, urging the public to remain calm." (Local newspaper report, e.g., The Daily Nation)
"Analysts are closely following the stock market's performance amid concerns about inflation." (Financial section of a national newspaper, e.g., The Wall Street Journal)
"The article highlighted the growing following for plant-based diets among young consumers." (Lifestyle section of a newspaper)
Online Publications:
"Following a recent software update, many users reported issues with their devices." (Tech news website, e.g., The Verge)
"The blog post garnered a significant following due to its insightful analysis of current events." (Opinion piece on a news blog)
"How to build a loyal social media following in five easy steps." (Marketing article on a business website, e.g., Forbes.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series (Dialogue): "We'll be following up on that lead first thing in the morning." (From a crime drama)
Film (Voiceover/Narration): "The hero spent the following weeks training rigorously for the final battle." (From an action movie)
Music (Song Title/Lyrics): "And the rain came following after, washing away all our fears." (From a folk song)
Video Games (Quest Log/Instructions): "Your next objective is following the tracks to the ancient ruins." (From a role-playing game)
Podcasts: "Our discussion today will focus on the economic implications following the recent policy changes." (News or commentary podcast)
Social Media: "Thanks for following my page! Stay tuned for more updates." (Creator's post on Instagram/TikTok/YouTube)
"The comedian has built up a massive following on TikTok with his relatable sketches." (User comment on a social media platform)
General Public Discourse:
"Following our meeting, I'll send out the minutes to everyone." (Spoken in a business or team meeting)
"Are you following the news about the election?" (Casual conversation between friends)
"She has quite a following in the local art scene." (Referring to an artist's popularity)
"It's crucial to be following safety protocols when working with these machines." (Instruction or advice given in a workplace)
10 Famous Quotes Using Following
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Then following that, you'll find yourself." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen. Following that, the world truly becomes a better place." (Henry David Thoreau - adapted for "following")
"I am not a hero; I am not a martyr; I am not a victim. I am just a woman following my dreams." (Oprah Winfrey)
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts. Following that resolve, great things can be achieved." (Winston Churchill - adapted for "following")
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Following your own convictions is key." (Ralph Waldo Emerson - adapted for "following")
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle. Following your passion is paramount." (Steve Jobs - adapted for "following")
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Following this principle can transform society." (Mahatma Gandhi - adapted for "following")
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. Following the dictates of imagination can lead to true discovery." (Albert Einstein - adapted for "following")
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Following the path of love leads to true peace." (Martin Luther King Jr. - adapted for "following")
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Following those dreams with conviction will lead to success." (Eleanor Roosevelt - adapted for "following")
Etymology
The word "following" has a rich history rooted deeply in the English language, tracing back to its very earliest forms.
Its journey begins in Old English (the language spoken before about 1150 AD) with words like "folgian," "fylgian," and "fylgan." These words had a core meaning of "to accompany" or "to move in the same direction as." Imagine someone literally walking behind another person, or a group moving together.
Beyond just physical movement, it also quickly developed other related meanings:
To obey a rule or law: If you "folgian" a rule, you were acting in accordance with it.
To apply oneself to a trade or calling: This meant to pursue a particular line of work or study.
To follow as a disciple: This highlighted the idea of being a loyal supporter or student of someone.
So, the very first known uses of "following" were broad, covering both the physical act of moving behind something and the more abstract idea of adhering to or supporting something.
Interestingly, it's thought that the original root of "follow" might have been a compound word in an even older Germanic language, full-gan, meaning "full-going." This could have then shifted to mean "to serve" or "to go with as an attendant," highlighting the idea of being completely committed to someone or something.
Over time, as English evolved into Middle English (roughly 1150-1500 AD) and then Modern English, the various meanings of "following" became more distinct, leading to the different ways we use it today (as a verb, adjective, noun, and preposition). The concept of "a body of disciples or retainers" (a group of supporters) as a noun, for example, appeared in the mid-15th century.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Following
Following suit: To do the same as someone else has just done.
Following orders: To obey instructions given.
Following through: To complete an action or plan that has been started.
Following in someone's footsteps: To pursue a career or life path similar to someone else, often a parent or mentor.
Following your gut/instincts: To act according to your natural feelings or intuition rather than logical thought.
A strong following: A large group of fans, supporters, or adherents.
The following morning/day/week: Referring to the next immediate time period.
Following the trend: To adopt or conform to a popular style or activity.
To follow up on something: To take further action regarding a previous event, statement, or idea.
Following a lead: To pursue a piece of information that might help in an investigation or search.
Following the letter of the law: To adhere strictly to the exact wording of a law, rather than its spirit or intent.
Following a prescribed course: To adhere to a set plan or procedure.
Following your heart: To act according to your deepest desires and emotions.
Following protocol: To adhere to established rules of conduct or procedure.
Following closely behind: To be in close pursuit or proximity to something or someone.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of following from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
