Following 還是 the following 呢?

Following 可當介系詞、形容詞和名詞用。這個字並非動詞 follow (聽從,遵循,遵從;理解,明白;[社群媒體上的] 追蹤,關注) 的現在分詞,而是單獨存在的一個字。

Following 用作介系詞時意為「在…之後」,後接名詞片語,其前不可有定冠詞 the 或所有格代名詞。例如:

  • The team blossomed following the selection and recruitment of the new players. (球隊在遴選和招募新球員後大放異彩) (正)
  • Following the banquet, there will be a costume party. (宴會之後將有一場化裝舞會) (正) - costume party 為美式英語。英式英語的化裝舞會叫做 fancy-dress party。
    The following banquet, there will be a costume party. (誤)
  • Following my teaching career, I’d like to be a writer of children’s books. (教書生涯結束後,我想當兒童文學作家) (正)
    My following teaching career, I’d like to be a writer of children’s books. (誤)

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