following 也可以当作介词来用（另外可以是形容词和名词）

real

following可以当作形容词，名词，介词来用。下面是详细解释。英语学员， 请尽量，先看懂英英解释，再对照后面的中英双解，希望每个小小的文本，对学员都有一定的启发。
☞ following
I. adjective
Etymology: Middle English folwing, folowing, from present participle of folwen, folowen to follow — more at follow
1. : next after : succeeding, ensuing
< the meeting was held on the following day >
2. : that immediately follows
< the following table shows the rate of increase >
< trains will leave at the following times >
3. of a wind : blowing in or running in the direction in which a ship is moving
4. : being east of or having a greater right ascension than another celestial body so as to follow it in the field of a telescope by reason of diurnal motion — compare preceding
II. noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English folwing, folowing, from gerund of folwen, folowen
1. : the followers, adherents or partisans of one
2.
a. : the regular readers of an author or publication
b. : the patrons of a sport or entertainment
c. : the admirers or supporters of a performer in the arts, sports, or entertainment : fans
III. preposition
Etymology: following (I)
: subsequent to : after in time
< following the lecture the meeting was open to discussion >

☞ following
fol·low·ing / ˈfɔləuiŋ; NAmE ˈfɑːlouiŋ /
adjective
the following...
1. next in time
   (时间上)接着的:
   the following afternoon / month / year / week
   第二天下午；第二个月；第二年；第二周
   They arrived on Monday evening and we got there the following day.
   他们是星期一晚上到的,我们次日也抵达那里。
2. that is / are going to be mentioned next
   下述的；下列的:
   Answer the following questions.
   回答下列问题。
IDIOMS
▪ a ˌfollowing 'wind
   a wind blowing in the same direction as a ship or other vehicle that helps it move faster
   顺风
noun
1. [usually sing.] a group of supporters
   (统称)拥护者,追随者:
   The band has a huge following in Italy.
   这个乐队在意大利有一大批热心的观众。
2. the following (used with either a singular or a plural verb, depending on whether you are talking about one thing or person or several things or people 动词用单数还是复数取决于后面谈及人、事物的单复数) the thing or things that you will mention next; the person or people that you will mention next
   下述；下列；如下:
   The following is a summary of events.
   现将重大事件综述如下。
   The following have been chosen to take part: Watts, Hodges and Lennox.
   已选定下列人员参加:沃茨、霍奇斯和伦诺克斯。
preposition   
after or as a result of a particular event
   在(某事)以后；由于:
   He took charge of the family business following his father's death.
   父亲死后他就接管了家族企业。

☞ following

---

fol∙low∙ing¹ / ˈfɑloɪŋ ; ˈfɔləʊɪŋ /
◙adj
1. the following afternoon / month / page / chapter etc,  the next afternoon, month etc
• 第二天下午/第二个月/下一页/下一章等;
【OPP】 preceding
»He was sick in the evening, but the following day he was better.
  那天晚上他生病了，但第二天就有所好转。
2. the following example / way etc,  the example, way etc that will be mentioned next
• 以下的例子/方式等:
»Payment may be made in any of the following ways: cheque, cash, or credit card.
  可用以下任何一种方式付款: 支票、现金或信用卡。
3. a following wind,  a wind that is blowing in the same direction as a ship, and helps it to move faster
• 〔船航行时的〕顺风

---

following²
◙noun [C]
1. [usually singular] a group of people who support or admire someone
• 一批追随者（支持者，崇拜者）:
»The band has a big following in Europe.
  这支乐队在欧洲有一大批乐迷。
2. the following,  the people or things that you are going to mention
• 下列人员; 下列事物:
»The following have been selected to play in tomorrow's game: Louise Carus, Fiona Douglas…
  下列人员已被选中参加明天的比赛: 路易斯∙卡勒斯、菲奥娜∙道格拉斯…

---

following³
◙prep
1. after an event or as a result of it
• 在…以后; 由于;
【OPP】 before
»Following the president's speech, there will be a few minutes for questions.
总统发表演讲之后将留出几分钟时间供提问。
»Thousands of refugees left the country following the outbreak of civil war.
内战爆发后，成千上万的难民逃离该国。  

英语学员们，免费下载优秀的英语资料，请到这里桐木舟网站(https://domzh.com)免费下载，各种英语著作。