Basic Details
Word: Following
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Coming next or after, as in the following day; as a noun, a group of fans or supporters, as in a large following.
Synonyms: next, subsequent, succeeding
Antonyms: preceding, previous
How to Spell Following
Syllables: fol - low - ing
Tricky part: There are two l's in the middle, and the ow of follow stays before ing.
Watch out for: folowing, follwing, follouing
Memory tip: Follow has two l's and ends in ow, like hollow and swallow. Keep it whole and add ing.
Usage Examples
Example 1: We reached Shimla on Friday and went up to Kufri the following morning.
Example 2: The singer has a huge following among college students.
Example 3: Answer the following questions in full sentences.
Fun Fact
Following can do three jobs: an adjective (the following day), a noun (a loyal following) and a preposition meaning after (following the match, the players met their fans).
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. occurence 2. embarass 3. harrassment 4. following
a) something that happens
b) coming next in time or order
c) the act of troubling someone again and again
d) to make someone feel awkward
Show answer
b) coming next in time or order. Harassment has one r, occurrence two r's and embarrass two r's and two s's; following is the only one spelt right.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word following as used in the sentence:
The tournament schedule was announced on Monday, and the trials were held the following week.
a) later
b) next
c) subsequent
d) previous
Show answer
d) previous. The following week comes after; the previous week comes before, so it is the opposite.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
fo_lo_ing
a) u, w
b) l, w
c) o, w
d) l, u
Show answer
b) l, w. Follow takes a second l and ends in ow, so the gaps are l and w.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A cricketer with a big following on social media has ____.
a) many players who chase him
b) many fans who keep up with him
c) many coaches who train him
d) many bats that he owns
Show answer
b) many fans who keep up with him
2. In 'Following the storm, the schools stayed shut', following means ____.
a) after
b) because of
c) during
d) before
Show answer
a) after
