Following this

Using Following this is actually quite straightforward once you get the hang of the punctuation. Usually, it sits right at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a new thought that relates to the previous one. For example: We reviewed the initial data. Following this, we adjusted our strategy. Notice that little comma after this? That’s your best friend. It gives the reader a tiny breath before the new information hits. You can also use it after a semicolon if you want to keep the ideas tightly packed in one sentence: The software update failed; following this, the servers went offline. It works best when you have a clear 'Action A' and 'Action B' relationship. If you’re texting a friend about a wild night out, it might feel a bit too 'police report,' but if you’re writing an email to a client explaining why their project is delayed, it’s absolute gold. Think of it as a way to signpost your progress. It tells people, "I am organized, I have a plan, and I know exactly what happened and why it happened next." Just don't use it three times in the same paragraph, or you'll start sounding like a robot trying to pass a Turing test.

This phrase lives in the 'Formal' to 'Neutral-Professional' neighborhood. On a scale from Yo, then... (very informal) to Subsequent to the aforementioned event... (extremely formal/legal), Following this sits comfortably in the C1/Academic tier. It’s the bread and butter of corporate communication. You’ll hear it in Zoom meetings when a manager is wrapping up a point: Following this meeting, I’ll send out the minutes. It’s also a staple of the 'LinkedIn-fluencer' dialect where everyone is 'thrilled to announce' their next step. In academic writing, it’s a 'signposting' word. It helps your professor follow your argument without having to re-read your paragraph five times. If you use it in a casual WhatsApp group chat with your best friends, they might ask if you’ve been replaced by an AI or if you’re practicing for a law degree. However, in a travel vlog or a professional YouTube tutorial, it adds a layer of authority that keeps viewers engaged. It says, "I'm a pro, and I'm leading you through this step-by-step."

Imagine you're watching a Netflix series about a heist. The mastermind points to a map and says, We disable the alarm. Following this, we have exactly four minutes to exit the vault. That's a classic usage. It sets a high-stakes sequence. Or consider a job interview on Zoom. You might say, I completed my Master's in 2022. Following this, I joined a tech startup as a junior dev. It sounds much more professional than saying And then I got a job. In the world of social media, you might see an Instagram caption from a fitness influencer: I struggled with my diet for years. Following this realization, I started focusing on gut health. Even in food delivery apps, though they usually use simpler language, a 'Help' section might say: Your order has been confirmed. Following this, our courier will pick up your meal. It appears in news headlines constantly: The Prime Minister resigned this morning. Following this, the party began searching for a successor. It’s everywhere once you start looking for it, like that one catchy song you can’t escape on TikTok.

Reach for Following this when you want to appear organized and logical. It’s perfect for the 'Conclusion' or 'Results' section of a paper. If you’re writing a cover letter, use it to link your past experiences to your current goals. It’s also great for explaining instructions. If you’re a gamer streaming a walkthrough, saying Following this jump, you need to turn left immediately helps your audience follow your movements. Use it when there is a clear chronological order that matters. For instance, in a medical report or a legal deposition, the order of events is everything. Following this ensures there’s no ambiguity about what happened first. It’s also useful when you want to sound persuasive. By linking two events with this phrase, you subtly suggest that the second event was a natural, logical step from the first. It builds a narrative of competence. Plus, it makes your emails look like they were written by someone who actually reads the company handbook.

Avoid Following this in very casual or emotional settings. If you’re breaking up with someone via text (please don't, but if you do), saying I saw you with him. Following this, I am ending our relationship makes you sound like a cold, heartless villain from a 1980s spy movie. It’s too detached for intimate moments. Also, don't use it for things that are happening at the same time. If you’re eating pizza while watching a movie, you wouldn't say I am eating pizza; following this, I am watching a movie. That implies you wait until the pizza is 100% gone before you look at the screen! Use simultaneously or while instead. Another 'no-go' zone is when the sequence is obvious and unimportant. I woke up. Following this, I brushed my teeth. This is redundant and makes you sound like you’re trying way too hard to reach a word count on a high school essay. Save it for transitions that actually need a bridge.

One of the biggest blunders is confusing Following this with the command Follow this. If you tell someone Follow this, you’re giving them a link to click or a path to walk. Following this is an adverbial phrase about time and logic. Another common hiccup is using the wrong preposition. I’ve seen Following to this or Following of this—both of which will make a native speaker's brain itch. Keep it simple: just Following this. There’s also the 'Comma Trauma'—forgetting the comma after the phrase. Without it, the sentence can feel like a run-on sentence that never ends. ✗ Following this we went home. → ✓ Following this, we went home. Some people also try to use it to mean 'According to.' ✗ Following this book, the earth is flat. → ✓ According to this book... Use Following this only for sequence, not for source citation. Finally, don't use it if you haven't actually mentioned a 'this' yet. You can't start a brand new conversation with Following this... because people will wonder, "Following what? The ghost in the room?"

Depending on where you are and who you’re talking to, you might hear some cousins of this phrase. In the UK or in very formal legal contexts, you might hear Subsequent to this. It’s basically Following this in a tuxedo. In North America, After this is the standard neutral version, while Afterwards is more common in casual speech. If you want to sound a bit more 'old school' or like a narrator in a history book, you could use Thereafter. For those who want to sound more casual, Next up or Right after that works wonders. In the world of coding and tech, you might see Then() (like in JavaScript promises), which is the functional equivalent of Following this. If you're in a business meeting and want to sound extra fancy, try In the wake of this. This variation usually implies that the first event was big or impactful, like a company merger or a natural disaster. Just remember: Following this is the reliable 'middle child'—not too fancy, not too casual.

Is Following this the same as After this? Mostly, yes! Following this is just a bit more formal and organized. It’s better for writing, while After this is better for chatting. Think of it as the difference between saying "I shall depart" and "I'm leaving."

Can I start a paragraph with it? Absolutely. In fact, it's a great way to link a new paragraph to the one before it. It creates a 'flow' that makes your writing much easier to digest. It’s like a 'Previously on...' recap for your essay.

Is it okay for IELTS or TOEFL? Yes, examiners love this! It’s a 'cohesive device.' Using it correctly can actually boost your score in the 'Coherence and Cohesion' category because it shows you can link complex ideas together.

Can I use it in a text message? You can, but use it sparingly. If you're explaining a plan (e.g., We meet at 7. Following this, we head to the club), it’s fine. If you’re just saying you’re going to bed, it’s a bit much.

What’s the difference between Following this and Following that? Use this when the event just happened or is very close in the text. Use that when you’re referring to something further back or something someone else just said. It’s a distance thing!