What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ensuing
Example
The ensuing chaos was inevitable after the power outage. [ensuing: adjective]
Example
The meeting was postponed, and the ensuing discussions were heated. [ensuing: present participle]
following
Example
Following the storm, many trees were uprooted. [following: preposition]
Example
The following day, we went to the beach. [following: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Following is more commonly used than ensuing in everyday language. Following is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ensuing is less common and is typically used in more formal or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ensuing and following?
Ensuing is more formal than following and is often used in academic or technical writing to describe a cause-and-effect relationship between events. Following is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
