The difference between Following and Preceding

When used as adjectives, following means coming next, either in sequence or in time, whereas preceding means occurring before or in front of something else, in time, place, rank or sequence.


Following is also noun with the meaning: a group of followers, attendants or admirers.

Following is also preposition with the meaning: after, subsequent to.

check bellow for the other definitions of Following and Preceding

  1. Following as an adjective:

    Coming next, either in sequence or in time.

    Examples:

    "See the following section."

  2. Following as an adjective:

    About to be specified.

    Examples:

    "The following words have no definition..."

  3. Following as an adjective (of a wind):

    Blowing in the direction of travel.

    Examples:

    "The following wind sped us on our way."

  1. Following as a preposition:

    After, subsequent to.

    Examples:

    " Following the meeting, we all had a chat."

  1. Following as a noun:

    A group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage.

    Examples:

    "He had a loyal following."

  2. Following as a noun:

    Vocation; business; profession.

  3. Following as a noun (with definite article, treated as singular or plural):

    A thing or things to be mentioned immediately after.

    Examples:

    "The following is a recommendation letter from the president."

    "The following are the three most important questions."

  1. Following as a verb:

  1. Preceding as an adjective:

    Occurring before or in front of something else, in time, place, rank or sequence.

    Examples:

    "On the preceding Monday Shobana had gone on vacation."

  1. Preceding as a verb: