following or next
I would like to know if there are some differences between "following" and "next" or if they are interchangeable. I would appreciate your help.
8 Answers
In some cases it would be appropriate to use these words interchangeably such as when they are being used as an adjective:
The next/following day, was the same as the last.
Sometimes, however, it would only be appropriate to use only one or the other:
The following people were chosen - in this case following means either to be mentioned next or to be dealt with next.
It wouldn't mean the same thing to use next in this sentence:
The next people were chosen
As another example, look at these two sentences:
It would be correct to say the following [correct]
...but it would be incorrect to say the next [incorrect]
can you tell that using next in this way begs the question the next what?
When being used as an adverb, next can be used in a way that would not allow the same use as with following:
When next we meet [correct]
When following we meet [incorrect]
or when following is used as a preposition meaning after, it would not be possible to use next in the same manner:
Following dinner we all went out onto the porch
would not be the same as
Next dinner we all went out onto the porch
What an interesting question - me gusta!
'Next' feels closer in time or space than does 'following', and 'next' also feels more specific.
I think what makes the difference between the two is whether you use a definite or indefinite article.
You can only say 'the next' - 'a next' sounds wrong.
Whereas you say either 'a following' or 'the following', but it changes the meaning.
For example:
Person A] Are you getting the same train as me?
Person B] No, I'm going to get the following train
Means Person B will get the very next train behind Person A.
Whereas:
Person A] Are you getting the same train as me?
Person B] No, I'm going to get a following train
Means Person B will get some train after Person A, but not necessarily the next one.
I'd also say there can only be one 'next' thing, but there can be many 'following' things.
Following as a verb, for example:
1) Stop following me! 2) That dog was following her home.
You cannot use the word "next" in these types of sentences.
Following as an adjective, for example:
1) Please read the following article. 2) I saw her the following day.
You may use the word "next" in these types of sentences.
The word "next" is very often interchangeable with "following" when it's used as an adjective. I can think of many examples where it means the same thing. I can think of only a few examples where it is not.
I think Martyn brings up a good point
I'd also say there can only be one 'next' thing, but there can be many 'following' things.
I would say that if the noun represents some indeterminate number of things, then in many cases next would not be appropriate.
The following people will have to sit out at recess tomorrow: Nila, Izanoni, Marianne, etc..
The following flights will arrive in Madrid at 4:30: London, Paris, Luxembourg.
This would not sound the same if you were to put next in place of following.
Using the word following in this way allows you to clarify (by listing) what the actual identity of each of these entities that is represented by the indeterminate noun (in this case flights and people).
Look at these two sentences (implied meaning in parenthesis):
The next person (in line/in order of appearance etc) doesn't get to eat lunch.
*The following person (to be named subsequently) doesn't get to eat.
Oh, yes and following can also be used as a noun as well to mean a group of adherents:
He had a small following among the more elite students on campus
I believe that if "following" is used as an adjective, it is interchangeable with next. Following can also be used as a verb and in that case it is not.
I always love your questions Nila!
Person B] No, I'm going to get a following train
Means Person B will get some train after Person A, but not necessarily the next one.
I know exactly what you want to say with "a following train" (un tren siguiente). I have heard such expressions on the films when translating into Spanish. But that expression does not exist in Spanish. We say "cualquier tren posterior".
Tell me... "following" as a verb. This will be because it comes from "follow", won't it?
