18 Other Ways to Say Following By in Writing

The phrase “following by” is not very common in modern English and can sometimes sound awkward or unclear. Depending on your meaning, there are smoother alternatives you can use. For sequence or order, you might say “followed by,” “after which,” “then comes,” or “subsequently.”

For example, instead of writing “The meeting will start at 10 a.m., following by a Q&A session,” you could say “The meeting will start at 10 a.m., followed by a Q&A session” or “The meeting begins at 10 a.m., after which we’ll have a Q&A session.” These alternatives keep your sentence professional and grammatically correct.

Definition and Context

The phrase “following by” indicates a sequence in which one event, action, or item occurs immediately after another. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound repetitive or lack the nuance needed to convey specific relationships between events.

To enhance clarity and style, it’s beneficial to explore a wider range of alternatives that express sequence with greater precision.

Understanding the context is crucial when choosing a substitute for “following by.” Are you describing a chronological order, a logical progression, or a cause-and-effect relationship? The appropriate alternative will depend on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

For instance, “subsequently” might be suitable for formal writing, while “then” or “next” could be more appropriate for informal conversation. Mastering these alternatives will elevate your writing and speaking to a more sophisticated level.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of sentences using alternatives to “following by” often involves temporal adverbs, prepositional phrases, conjunctive adverbs, subordinating conjunctions, or verb-based phrases. Each of these has its own grammatical rules and patterns.

Temporal adverbs (e.g., then, next, subsequently) typically modify the verb and indicate when an action occurs in relation to another. Prepositional phrases (e.g., after that, following this) function as adverbs or adjectives, providing temporal context. Conjunctive adverbs (e.g., therefore, however) connect two independent clauses, showing a relationship between them. Subordinating conjunctions (e.g., after, once, when) introduce dependent clauses that provide temporal or causal information. Verb-based phrases (e.g., ensued, proceeded) incorporate the idea of sequence directly into the verb itself.

Other Ways to Say Following By

There are several categories of words and phrases that can be used to replace “following by,” each with its own specific grammatical function and nuance.

Temporal Adverbs

Temporal adverbs indicate the time or order in which events occur. They often modify verbs, adding information about when something happens. Examples include: then, next, afterwards, subsequently, later, immediately, and eventually. These adverbs provide a clear sense of chronological progression.

Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases consist of a preposition and its object, often a noun or pronoun. When used to indicate sequence, they act as adverbs. Common examples are: after that, following this, subsequent to, prior to, in the wake of, and on the heels of. These phrases offer a more formal and descriptive way to express sequence.

Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs connect two independent clauses, indicating the relationship between them. When expressing sequence, they show how one clause follows from the previous one. Examples include: therefore, thus, consequently, accordingly, hence, and as a result. These adverbs often imply a cause-and-effect relationship in addition to sequence.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions introduce a dependent clause, linking it to an independent clause. When expressing sequence, they show the temporal relationship between the two clauses. Common examples include: after, before, when, while, as soon as, until, once, and since. These conjunctions provide a flexible way to indicate the order of events.

Verb-Based Phrases

Certain verbs and verb phrases inherently imply a sequence of events. These can be used to replace “following by” by incorporating the concept of sequence directly into the verb. Examples include: ensued, proceeded, supervened, arose, resulted, and stemmed. These phrases often add a more formal or literary tone to the writing.

Examples

Here are several examples illustrating how to use different alternatives to “following by” in sentences. Each category is presented with a table containing numerous examples to demonstrate the variety and versatility of these expressions.

Temporal Adverbs Examples

Temporal adverbs are simple and effective ways to indicate sequence. They can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, depending on the desired emphasis.

The following table illustrates the use of temporal adverbs to replace “following by.”

Original Sentence (with “Following By”)	Revised Sentence (with Temporal Adverb)
The rain stopped, following by the sun shining.	The rain stopped; then, the sun shone.
He finished his homework, following by watching TV.	He finished his homework; next, he watched TV.
The presentation concluded, following by a Q&A session.	The presentation concluded; afterwards, there was a Q&A session.
The storm passed, following by a period of calm.	The storm passed; subsequently, there was a period of calm.
The meeting ended, following by lunch.	The meeting ended; later, we had lunch.
The alarm rang, following by everyone waking up.	The alarm rang; immediately, everyone woke up.
The project started, following by challenges.	The project started; eventually, challenges arose.
He ate dinner, following by dessert.	He ate dinner; then, he had dessert.
She studied hard, following by passing the exam.	She studied hard; subsequently, she passed the exam.
The play began, following by applause.	The play began; immediately, there was applause.
The lecture finished, following by a discussion.	The lecture finished; afterwards, there was a discussion.
The movie ended, following by the credits rolling.	The movie ended; then, the credits rolled.
The concert started, following by the band playing.	The concert started; immediately, the band played.
The experiment was conducted, following by the results analysis.	The experiment was conducted; subsequently, the results were analyzed.
The race began, following by the runners sprinting.	The race began; immediately, the runners sprinted.
The announcement was made, following by the celebration.	The announcement was made; afterwards, there was a celebration.
The book was published, following by positive reviews.	The book was published; eventually, it received positive reviews.
The company launched the product, following by strong sales.	The company launched the product; subsequently, it experienced strong sales.
The renovation started, following by problems.	The renovation started; eventually, problems arose.
The software was installed, following by a system crash.	The software was installed; immediately, the system crashed.
The proposal was submitted, following by its approval.	The proposal was submitted; later, it was approved.
The presentation started, following by technical difficulties.	The presentation started; then, technical difficulties arose.
The project was approved, following by funding.	The project was approved; afterwards, funding was secured.
The fire alarm went off, following by the evacuation.	The fire alarm went off; immediately, the building was evacuated.
The team won the game, following by celebrations.	The team won the game; subsequently, there were celebrations.
The course began, following by a challenging assignment.	The course began; then, a challenging assignment was given.
The problem was identified, following by a solution.	The problem was identified; later, a solution was found.

Prepositional Phrases Examples

Prepositional phrases offer a more formal alternative to temporal adverbs. They often provide additional context and can create a more sophisticated tone.

The following table demonstrates the use of prepositional phrases to express sequence.

Original Sentence (with “Following By”)	Revised Sentence (with Prepositional Phrase)
The first act ended, following by the intermission.	The first act ended; after that, there was an intermission.
The introduction was given, following by the main presentation.	The introduction was given; following this, the main presentation began.
The initial research was completed, following by the analysis.	The initial research was completed; subsequent to that, the analysis was conducted.
The earthquake struck, following by aftershocks.	The earthquake struck; in the wake of the earthquake, there were aftershocks.
The announcement was made, following by the implementation of the new policy.	The announcement was made; on the heels of the announcement, the new policy was implemented.
The war ended, following by a period of rebuilding.	The war ended; subsequent to the ceasefire, there was a period of rebuilding.
The CEO resigned, following by a board meeting.	The CEO resigned; after that, a board meeting was convened.
The software update was installed, following by system errors.	The software update was installed; following this, system errors began to occur.
The storm hit the coast, following by severe flooding.	The storm hit the coast; in the wake of the storm, there was severe flooding.
The new law was passed, following by public protests.	The new law was passed; on the heels of the new law, public protests erupted.
The company announced record profits, following by layoffs.	The company announced record profits; subsequent to this announcement, layoffs were announced.
The product launch was successful, following by increased competition.	The product launch was successful; after that, there was increased competition.
The project was completed, following by a celebration.	The project was completed; following this, a celebration was held.
The building was constructed, following by its opening.	The building was constructed; subsequent to construction, the building was opened.
The concert began, following by the main act.	The concert began; after that, the main act took the stage.
The presentation was delivered, following by a question and answer session.	The presentation was delivered; following this, a question and answer session commenced.
The contract was signed, following by its implementation.	The contract was signed; subsequent to signing, the contract was implemented.
The vaccine was developed, following by its distribution.	The vaccine was developed; after that, it was distributed.
The election was held, following by the inauguration.	The election was held; following this, the inauguration took place.
The research was published, following by citations.	The research was published; subsequent to publication, it received numerous citations.
The company released the statement, following by a press conference.	The company released the statement; after that, they held a press conference.
The renovation was completed, following by the reopening.	The renovation was completed; following this, the building was reopened.
The investigation concluded, following by the arrests.	The investigation concluded; subsequent to the conclusion, the arrests were made.
The report was submitted, following by its review.	The report was submitted; after that, it was reviewed.
The new policy was announced, following by changes.	The new policy was announced; following this, changes were implemented.
The event was planned, following by its execution.	The event was planned; subsequent to the planning, it was executed.
The bridge was constructed, following by its opening ceremony.	The bridge was constructed; after that, there was an opening ceremony.

Conjunctive Adverbs Examples

Conjunctive adverbs are useful for connecting independent clauses while indicating a sequential relationship. They often imply a logical connection between the events described in the clauses.

The following table illustrates the use of conjunctive adverbs to replace “following by.”

Original Sentence (with “Following By”)	Revised Sentence (with Conjunctive Adverb)
He studied diligently, following by he passed the exam.	He studied diligently; therefore, he passed the exam.
The data was analyzed, following by the conclusions were drawn.	The data was analyzed; thus, the conclusions were drawn.
The team worked hard, following by they achieved their goals.	The team worked hard; consequently, they achieved their goals.
The research was thorough, following by the results were reliable.	The research was thorough; accordingly, the results were reliable.
The rules were followed, following by the project was successful.	The rules were followed; hence, the project was successful.
The input was changed, following by the output was altered.	The input was changed; as a result, the output was altered.
The experiment was successful, following by the theory was proven.	The experiment was successful; therefore, the theory was proven.
The system was updated, following by the performance improved.	The system was updated; thus, the performance improved.
The company invested heavily, following by the profits increased.	The company invested heavily; consequently, the profits increased.
The instructions were clear, following by the task was completed easily.	The instructions were clear; accordingly, the task was completed easily.
The plan was well-executed, following by the objectives were met.	The plan was well-executed; hence, the objectives were met.
The environment was improved, following by the quality of life increased.	The environment was improved; as a result, the quality of life increased.
The code was optimized, following by the application ran faster.	The code was optimized; therefore, the application ran faster.
The problem was identified, following by the solution was implemented.	The problem was identified; thus, the solution was implemented.
The resources were allocated efficiently, following by the project progressed smoothly.	The resources were allocated efficiently; consequently, the project progressed smoothly.
The data was validated, following by the analysis was accurate.	The data was validated; accordingly, the analysis was accurate.
The standards were raised, following by the quality improved.	The standards were raised; hence, the quality improved.
The budget was increased, following by the scope expanded.	The budget was increased; as a result, the scope expanded.
The training was effective, following by the skills improved.	The training was effective; therefore, the skills improved.
The process was streamlined, following by the efficiency increased.	The process was streamlined; thus, the efficiency increased.
The strategy was successful, following by the market share grew.	The strategy was successful; consequently, the market share grew.
The feedback was implemented, following by the product improved.	The feedback was implemented; accordingly, the product improved.
The support was strong, following by the community thrived.	The support was strong; hence, the community thrived.
The partnership was formed, following by the opportunities increased.	The partnership was formed; as a result, the opportunities increased.
The leadership was effective, following by the organization prospered.	The leadership was effective; therefore, the organization prospered.
The investment was wise, following by the returns were substantial.	The investment was wise; thus, the returns were substantial.

Subordinating Conjunctions Examples

Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, indicating the temporal relationship between them. This is a versatile way to express sequence, often adding more context and detail.

The following table illustrates the use of subordinating conjunctions.

Original Sentence (with “Following By”)	Revised Sentence (with Subordinating Conjunction)
The game ended, following by the awards ceremony.	After the game ended, the awards ceremony began.
The sun set, following by the stars appeared.	When the sun set, the stars appeared.
The rain stopped, following by the rainbow appeared.	As soon as the rain stopped, the rainbow appeared.
The meal was cooked, following by it was served.	Once the meal was cooked, it was served.
The presentation was prepared, following by it was delivered.	After the presentation was prepared, it was delivered.
The project was completed, following by the team celebrated.	When the project was completed, the team celebrated.
The door opened, following by he entered the room.	As soon as the door opened, he entered the room.
The lecture finished, following by the students left.	Once the lecture finished, the students left.
The bell rang, following by the students ran out.	As soon as the bell rang, the students ran out.
The concert ended, following by the crowd dispersed.	After the concert ended, the crowd dispersed.
The movie started, following by the audience quieted down.	When the movie started, the audience quieted down.
The alarm went off, following by the building was evacuated.	As soon as the alarm went off, the building was evacuated.
The meeting adjourned, following by everyone left the room.	Once the meeting adjourned, everyone left the room.
The show began, following by the curtains rose.	When the show began, the curtains rose.
The announcement was made, following by the celebration started.	As soon as the announcement was made, the celebration started.
The speech ended, following by the applause.	After the speech ended, there was applause.
The experiment was completed, following by the results were analyzed.	Once the experiment was completed, the results were analyzed.
The software was installed, following by the computer was restarted.	After the software was installed, the computer was restarted.
The code was compiled, following by it was executed.	Once the code was compiled, it was executed.
The contract was signed, following by the work began.	As soon as the contract was signed, the work began.
The agreement was reached, following by the details were finalized.	After the agreement was reached, the details were finalized.
The presentation started, following by the speaker introduced the topic.	When the presentation started, the speaker introduced the topic.
The project was approved, following by the funding was released.	As soon as the project was approved, the funding was released.
The event began, following by the guests arrived.	When the event began, the guests arrived.
The lesson finished, following by the homework was assigned.	After the lesson finished, the homework was assigned.
The process was completed, following by the results were reviewed.	Once the process was completed, the results were reviewed.

Verb-Based Phrases Examples

Using verb-based phrases can be a more concise and elegant way to express sequence, especially in formal writing. These phrases incorporate the idea of sequence directly into the verb.

The following table illustrates the use of verb-based phrases.

Original Sentence (with “Following By”)	Revised Sentence (with Verb-Based Phrase)
The argument ended, following by a fight.	The argument ended; a fight ensued.
The meeting adjourned, following by a press conference.	The meeting adjourned; a press conference proceeded.
The first event occurred, following by the second.	The first event occurred; the second supervened.
The economic crisis happened, following by social unrest.	The economic crisis happened; social unrest arose.
The heavy rain fell, following by flooding.	The heavy rain fell; flooding resulted.
The initial investment was made, following by profits.	The initial investment was made; profits stemmed from it.
The announcement was made, following by confusion.	The announcement was made; confusion ensued.
The presentation finished, following by questions.	The presentation finished; questions proceeded.
The first stage was completed, following by the second.	The first stage was completed; the second supervened.
The political instability occurred, following by economic decline.	The political instability occurred; economic decline arose.
The accident happened, following by injuries.	The accident happened; injuries resulted.
The new policy was implemented, following by improvements.	The new policy was implemented; improvements stemmed from it.
The fire broke out, following by chaos.	The fire broke out; chaos ensued.
The lecture ended, following by discussions.	The lecture ended; discussions proceeded.
The first phase was completed, following by the second.	The first phase was completed; the second supervened.
The pandemic began, following by economic hardship.	The pandemic began; economic hardship arose.
The earthquake struck, following by damage.	The earthquake struck; damage resulted.
The research was conducted, following by discoveries.	The research was conducted; discoveries stemmed from it.
The power outage occurred, following by disruptions.	The power outage occurred; disruptions ensued.
The concert finished, following by encores.	The concert finished; encores proceeded.
The first step was taken, following by the second.	The first step was taken; the second supervened.
The scandal broke out, following by resignations.	The scandal broke out; resignations arose.
The storm hit, following by destruction.	The storm hit; destruction resulted.
The new technology was introduced, following by innovations.	The new technology was introduced; innovations stemmed from it.

Usage Rules

Using alternatives to “following by” correctly requires understanding the specific rules governing each type of expression. Temporal adverbs should be placed appropriately to modify the verb they are describing.

Prepositional phrases should be used in a way that maintains grammatical correctness and clarity. Conjunctive adverbs must connect two independent clauses.

Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and must be followed by a subject and a verb. Verb-based phrases should be used according to their specific meanings and grammatical requirements.

Punctuation is crucial when using conjunctive adverbs. They typically require a semicolon before them and a comma after them (e.g., “He studied hard; therefore, he passed the exam.”). Subordinating conjunctions, on the other hand, only require a comma if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause (e.g., “After the game ended, the awards ceremony began.”).

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using the wrong type of expression for the intended meaning. For example, using a conjunctive adverb when a subordinating conjunction is more appropriate, or vice versa.

Another mistake is incorrect punctuation, especially with conjunctive adverbs. Finally, misusing verb-based phrases can lead to awkward or incorrect sentences.

Incorrect: He studied hard, therefore he passed the exam. Correct: He studied hard; therefore, he passed the exam.

Incorrect: After the rain stopped, the rainbow it appeared. Correct: After the rain stopped, the rainbow appeared.

Incorrect: The argument ended, following by ensued a fight. Correct: The argument ended; a fight ensued.

Practice Exercises

The following exercises will help you practice using alternatives to “following by.” Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of the topic.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate alternative to “following by” from the list provided: then, after that, consequently, when, ensued.

Question	Answer
1. He finished his work, ______ he went home.	1. then
2. The rain stopped, ______ the sun came out.	2. after that
3. She studied hard, ______ she got a good grade.	3. consequently
4. ______ the bell rings, the students leave the classroom.	4. When
5. The meeting ended, and a discussion ______.	5. ensued
6. The storm passed, ______ the cleanup began.	6. after that
7. We completed the project, ______ we celebrated.	7. then
8. He failed to follow instructions, ______ he made a mistake.	8. consequently
9. ______ the sun sets, it gets dark.	9. When
10. The presentation ended, ______ the audience asked questions.	10. then

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation

Rewrite the following sentences using a different alternative to “following by” than the one already used.

Original Sentence	Rewritten Sentence
1. After the rain stopped, the sun came out.	1. The rain stopped; then, the sun came out.
2. He studied hard; therefore, he passed the exam.	2. He studied hard; as a result, he passed the exam.
3. The meeting adjourned; a press conference proceeded.	3. The meeting adjourned; after that, a press conference proceeded.
4. She finished her work; consequently, she went home.	4. She finished her work; then, she went home.
5. When the bell rings, the students leave the classroom.	5. As soon as the bell rings, the students leave the classroom.

Exercise 3: Error Correction

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

Original Sentence	Corrected Sentence
1. He finished his work, then he went home.	1. He finished his work; then, he went home.
2. After the rain stopped, the sun it came out.	2. After the rain stopped, the sun came out.
3. She studied hard, consequently she got a good grade.	3. She studied hard; consequently, she got a good grade.
4. The meeting ended, ensued a discussion.	4. The meeting ended; a discussion ensued.
5. When the bell rings the students leave the classroom.	5. When the bell rings, the students leave the classroom.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring more nuanced ways to express sequence can further enhance their communication skills. This includes understanding the subtle differences between various temporal adverbs and prepositional phrases, as well as mastering the use of less common verb-based phrases.

Additionally, analyzing how professional writers and speakers use these alternatives in different contexts can provide valuable insights.

Consider exploring the use of participial phrases to indicate sequence (e.g., “Having finished the report, she submitted it.”). This construction can add elegance and conciseness to your writing.

Also, delve into the use of more formal alternatives, such as “thereupon” or “forthwith,” in appropriate contexts.

FAQ

Conclusion

Mastering alternatives to “following by” is an essential step in enhancing your English communication skills. By understanding the nuances of temporal adverbs, prepositional phrases, conjunctive adverbs, subordinating conjunctions, and verb-based phrases, you can express sequence with greater precision and sophistication.

The examples and exercises provided in this guide offer a practical foundation for improving your writing and speaking abilities. Embrace these alternatives to elevate your language skills and communicate more effectively in a variety of contexts.