Mastering "The Following": Your Complete Guide to Perfect English Usage

~3,200 words 📖 12-15 min read 🎯 English Lessons

Have you ever paused mid-sentence, wondering whether to say "the following is" or "the following are"? You're not alone. The phrase "the following" is one of English's most versatile yet misunderstood expressions. Whether you're writing a professional email, crafting an academic paper, or simply trying to list items clearly, mastering this phrase will elevate your English communication skills dramatically.

🎯 What You'll Master Today

• ✓ Perfect grammar rules for "the following"
• ✓ Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• ✓ Professional writing techniques
• ✓ Interactive exercises and real-world examples

Chapter 1: Understanding "The Following" - Foundation Knowledge

"The following" serves as a transitional phrase that introduces information, lists, or explanations that come immediately after it. Think of it as a linguistic spotlight, directing your reader's attention to what's coming next. However, its grammatical behavior depends entirely on what follows it.

✅ Correct Usage

• "The following is important." (singular)
• "The following are required." (plural)
• "Please review the following document."

❌ Common Mistakes

• "The following are important." (when referring to one thing)
• "The followings are..." (incorrect plural form)
• "Following is..." (missing "the")

🧠 Memory Tip

Remember: "The following" is like a chameleon - it changes its verb form based on what comes after it. If what follows is singular, use "is." If what follows is plural, use "are."

🎯 Quick Check: Basic Understanding

Choose the correct option:

"The following _____ the main reasons for our decision."

A) is

B) are

C) was

Correct Answer: B) are

Since "reasons" is plural, we use "are" to match the plural subject that follows.

Chapter 2: The Grammar Rules That Matter

Rule 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

The verb after "the following" must agree with the actual subject that follows, not with "following" itself. This is where many English learners stumble.

Examples in Action:

Singular: "The following is a summary of our findings."

Plural: "The following are the key points to remember."

Mixed: "The following information is confidential." (information = singular)

Rule 2: Punctuation Patterns

Proper punctuation with "the following" depends on what comes next:

With a Colon (:)

"Please bring the following: notebook, pen, and calculator."

Without Punctuation

"The following day was much better."

Rule 3: Formal vs. Informal Usage

"The following" tends to be more formal. In casual conversation, alternatives like "these," "this," or "here are" often sound more natural.

📝 Practice Opportunity

Try rewriting this sentence in three different ways:

"The following are my favorite books."

Formal: "The following titles represent my preferred reading material."

Neutral: "These are my favorite books."

Casual: "Here are the books I love most."

Chapter 3: Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes

❌ Mistake #1: "The Followings"

Many learners incorrectly add an "s" to make "followings." This is grammatically incorrect because "following" in this context is not a countable noun.

Wrong: "The followings are important guidelines."

Right: "The following are important guidelines."

❌ Mistake #2: Verb Agreement Confusion

The most frequent error involves matching the verb to "following" instead of to what actually follows.

Wrong: "The following is three important steps." (steps = plural)

Right: "The following are three important steps."

❌ Mistake #3: Overusing in Casual Speech

Using "the following" in everyday conversation can sound overly formal or robotic.

Too Formal:

"The following are my weekend plans: sleeping, eating, and watching movies."

Better:

"My weekend plans are sleeping, eating, and watching movies."

🎯 Interactive Exercise: Fix the Mistakes

Sentence 1: "The followings is the most important rule."

Corrected: "The following is the most important rule."

Removed the incorrect "s" from "following" and kept "is" because "rule" is singular.

Sentence 2: "The following is my favorite colors: blue, green, and purple."

Corrected: "The following are my favorite colors: blue, green, and purple."

Changed "is" to "are" because "colors" is plural.

Sentence 3: "Following are the instructions for the assignment."

Corrected: "The following are the instructions for the assignment."

Added "the" before "following" for proper grammar.

Chapter 4: Professional and Academic Applications

In professional and academic writing, "the following" serves as a powerful organizational tool. It creates clear expectations and helps readers navigate complex information efficiently.

Business Communication

Email Templates

Meeting Agenda:

"The following items will be discussed in tomorrow's meeting: budget review, project timeline, and team assignments."

Action Items:

"Please complete the following tasks by Friday: submit your reports, update the database, and schedule client calls."

Academic Writing

Research Papers

Methodology Section:

"The following methodology was employed to ensure accurate data collection and analysis."

Results Presentation:

"The following results demonstrate a significant correlation between the variables studied."

💡 Pro Tip

In professional writing, "the following" works best when you can deliver on the promise immediately. Don't use it if the information comes several paragraphs later.

Chapter 5: Advanced Usage and Stylistic Considerations

Stylistic Alternatives

While "the following" is grammatically correct, varying your language keeps writing engaging. Here are sophisticated alternatives:

Formal Alternatives:

• • "The subsequent items..."
• • "The ensuing details..."
• • "The aforementioned points..."
• • "The outlined procedures..."

Casual Alternatives:

• • "These items..."
• • "Here's what..."
• • "Check out these..."
• • "Consider this..."

Context-Dependent Usage

Legal Documents

"The following clauses constitute the entire agreement between the parties."

Note: Legal writing favors precision and formality.

Technical Manuals

"The following steps must be completed in sequence to ensure proper installation."

Note: Technical writing prioritizes clarity and sequence.

Creative Writing

"The following morning brought unexpected revelations."

Note: Creative writing uses it for temporal transitions.

🏆 Final Mastery Quiz

1. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

A) The followings are my recommendations.

B) The following are my recommendations.

C) Following are my recommendations.

2. Complete the sentence: "The following information _____ confidential."

A) is

B) are

C) were

Quiz Results

🎯 Your Journey to Mastery

Congratulations! You've now mastered one of English's most useful yet tricky phrases. "The following" is no longer a source of confusion but a powerful tool in your communication arsenal.

📚

Grammar Mastered

Subject-verb agreement with "the following"

💼

Professional Skills

Business and academic writing techniques

🎨

Style Awareness

When to use alternatives for better flow

🚀 Next Steps

• 1. Practice using "the following" in your daily writing
• 2. Notice how professional writers use this phrase
• 3. Experiment with the alternatives you've learned
• 4. Share this knowledge with other English learners

Remember: Language mastery comes through practice. The following days, weeks, and months will give you countless opportunities to apply what you've learned today.

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