Cool MateFollowing vs Subsequent
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Following
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Subsequent
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Following
| Following | Subsequent | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɑːləʊɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt//🇺🇸 //ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt// |
| Meaning | To come after something or someone. | Something that happens after another event. |
| Example | Answer the following questions. | The subsequent chapter discusses the implications of the findings. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | following instructions, following someone, following a trend | subsequent events, subsequent actions, subsequent findings |
| Antonyms | preceding, leading | preceding, previous, prior |
| Common mistakes | 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 | 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. |
Frequently asked questions: Following vs Subsequent
What's the difference between Following and Subsequent?
Following: To come after something or someone. Subsequent: Something that happens after another event.
Which is more common: Following and Subsequent?
Following is the most common in everyday English.
Are Following and Subsequent the same CEFR level?
Following: A2, Subsequent: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Following and Subsequent interchangeably?
Not always. 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.