In what follows

You will almost always find this phrase at the beginning of a sentence or a new paragraph. It’s frequently followed by a comma, though not always. Usually, it pairs with a future-facing verb like will, shall, or propose. For example: In what follows, I will outline the three main causes of the economic shift. You can also use it to define terms or set the scope of your discussion. It works best when you are transitioning from a general introduction to a specific, detailed explanation. It’s a bit like a movie trailer—it gives the highlights of what’s about to happen without giving everything away at once. Just don't use it for tiny things; it’s meant for significant chunks of information. You wouldn't say In what follows, I will tell you my cat's name. That's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut! Use it when the information is weighty and deserves a grand entrance.

This phrase is the tuxedo of the English language. It belongs in the world of academic papers, legal documents, technical reports, and high-level business proposals. It is very formal. You would never catch someone saying this at a backyard BBQ or in a casual WhatsApp message to a friend about where to get pizza. If you used it in a text like In what follows, I will describe the pizza toppings I want, your friend might think you’ve been replaced by a robot or a Victorian butler. It sits firmly at the C1/C2 level of English. It’s a 'power phrase'—it shows you have a high command of formal register. Use it in your Master’s thesis or a formal pitch to a CEO to instantly boost your credibility. It’s all about maintaining a professional distance and a structured tone.

You’ll see this all over platforms like *JSTOR* or *Google Scholar*. If you’re reading a complex analysis of a Netflix documentary’s impact on society, the author might write: In what follows, we examine the viewer demographics and social media sentiment. In a legal context, a contract might state: In what follows, the terms 'Provider' and 'Client' shall be defined. Even in a high-level tech blog or a deep-dive essay on *Medium*, a writer might use it to organize a long, multi-part article. It’s the glue that holds long-form content together. It’s also common in university lectures. A professor might stand at the front of the room and say, In what follows, we will debunk the three most common myths about the Roman Empire. It sets the stage and tells the students to get their pens ready because the 'real stuff' is starting.

Use it when you have a complex structure that needs clear signposting. It’s perfect for the end of an introduction to a long essay. It’s also great for transitioning between two major sections of a report. If you’ve just finished talking about the history of a problem and are moving into the solutions, In what follows is your best friend. It’s also useful when you need to introduce a list of definitions or parameters. Basically, if you feel like your reader might ask "Where is this going?", that is exactly when you should drop this phrase. It provides comfort and clarity. It’s like a 'You Are Here' sticker on a mall map. It’s also a great way to sound more 'native' in an academic setting, as it’s a standard convention that many ESL students overlook in favor of simpler words like next or then.

Avoid this phrase in any casual setting. Do not use it in emails to colleagues you see every day, unless you’re joking. Definitely don't use it in social media captions—unless you're being ironically formal for a laugh. Also, don't use it if you are only going to talk about one small thing in the next sentence. If you say In what follows, I will say hello, it sounds ridiculous. It’s for *sections*, not just single thoughts. Also, avoid overusing it. If you use it three times in the same essay, it starts to sound repetitive and robotic. One good placement in a long document is usually enough. It’s like a fine spice; a little bit adds flavor, but too much ruins the dish. Finally, don't use it if you aren't actually going to follow up with an explanation. It’s a promise to the reader—don't break it!

One of the biggest blunders is forgetting the 's' at the end. It is always In what follows, never In what follow. Another mistake is confusing it with In the following. While similar, In the following usually needs a noun like In the following paragraph. In what follows stands on its own.

Another error is using it as a synonym for following in a list. You can't say The in what follows items are.... It must be an introductory clause. Also, make sure your grammar in the rest of the sentence matches the formal tone. Don't say In what follows, I'm gonna tell ya stuff. Keep it consistent: In what follows, I will discuss the relevant data.

If in what follows feels a bit too heavy, you can try The following section discusses... or In the following pages, we will explore.... For a slightly more modern but still formal feel, you could use Below, I outline.... If you’re writing a shorter piece, Next, we will look at... is perfectly fine. In legal writing, you might see the word hereafter, though that is even more old-fashioned. Some writers prefer In the subsequent discussion, which is equally formal. If you're looking for a more 'tech-bro' or business-casual version, you might hear Moving forward, let's look at... or Next up, we have.... But if you want to stay in that high-academic, 'I know what I'm doing' zone, in what follows remains the gold standard.

Is in what follows still used? Yes, absolutely! It’s alive and well in every university and law firm on the planet. Can I use it in a job interview? Maybe, if it’s a very formal presentation, but it might sound a bit 'stiff' in a normal conversation. Is it British or American? It’s universal in the English-speaking academic world. Does it have to be at the start of a sentence? Yes, 99% of the time it functions as an introductory phrase. Is it the same as 'in the following'? Almost, but in what follows is a fixed idiomatic expression, while in the following usually needs a noun like 'paragraph' or 'chapter' to finish the thought. Can I say 'In what followed'? No, that would mean you already talked about it, which defeats the purpose of the 'roadmap'!