2024-01-08 08:02:36
In the great market of expressions, a merciless struggle has begun between “following” and “following”. What’s the difference, you ask? Don’t they mean the same thing? Yes, but one is more, let’s say, supported than the other. Let’s get this straight.
Different uses of “as a result of”
“Following” in the temporal sense – here, “following” means “after”:
“Following his speech, the guests rushed to the buffet. »
“Following” in the geographical sense – here, it’s about finding your way in space:
“This July 14, the soldiers paraded following the officers. »
“As a result of” in the sense of consequence – here, what follows the event follows from it:
“Following the earthquake, millions of people were left homeless. »
And “following” in all this?
“Following” is often used at the start of a sentence and refers more to the temporal and causal dimensions than to the geographical dimensions:
“Following his speech, we threw ourselves at the buffet. »“Following the earthquake, millions of people lost their homes. »
In fact, “following” has established itself in everyday language and, particularly, in commercial jargon. However, the French Academy is reluctant to validate this turn of phrase, preferring “as a result of”. No one will stone you for using it, that said, but it’s better to reserve it for your marketing presentations.
#result #correct