Cool MateAfter vs Following vs Subsequent
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
After
Following
Subsequent
| After | Following | Subsequent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɑːftə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈæftər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɑːləʊɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt//🇺🇸 //ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt// |
| Meaning | Later in time than something else. | To come after something or someone. | Something that happens after another event. |
| Example | We will go to the park after lunch. | Answer the following questions. | The subsequent chapter discusses the implications of the findings. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | preposition | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | after school, after work, after dinner, after the event | following instructions, following someone, following a trend | subsequent events, subsequent actions, subsequent findings |
| Antonyms | before | preceding, leading | preceding, previous, prior |
| Common mistakes | Using 'after' with past tenses incorrectly, e.g., 'after I ate' should be linked with a past event., Confusing 'after' with 'before' in timeline contexts., Misplacing 'after' in a sentence, leading to unclear meaning. | Confused with 'preceeding' - using 'following' incorrectly to describe something that comes before., Using 'follow' instead of 'following' in adjective form. | Confused with 'consequent' – they have different nuances., Using it to describe things that happen at the same time., Omitting it when referring to multiple events. |
| Usage notes | Used to indicate time. Common in both spoken and written English. Avoid using in very formal contexts without a clear time reference. | Use 'following' to indicate something that comes next in time or order. It's appropriate in various contexts, including writing and conversation, but avoid using it in overly casual settings when referring to people. | Use 'subsequent' to describe events that follow others in time. It is formal and often seen in written contexts, such as reports or essays. Avoid in very casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: After vs Following vs Subsequent
What's the difference between After, Following, and Subsequent?
After: Later in time than something else. Following: To come after something or someone. Subsequent: Something that happens after another event.
Which is more advanced: After, Following, and Subsequent?
Subsequent is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are After, Following, and Subsequent the same CEFR level?
After: A1, Following: A2, Subsequent: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are After, Following, and Subsequent?
After: preposition, Following: adjective, Subsequent: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
After: We will go to the park after lunch. Following: Answer the following questions. Subsequent: The subsequent chapter discusses the implications of the findings.
Can I use After, Following, and Subsequent interchangeably?
Not always. After, Following, and Subsequent are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.