Below vs. Following — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 24, 2024
"Below" refers to a position directly underneath or lower in a text or sequence, whereas "following" indicates what comes next or after, often used in sequences or instructions.
Difference Between Below and Following
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Below" is commonly used to describe a physical or abstract position directly underneath something, highlighting a spatial relationship. On the other hand, "following" is used to indicate succession or what comes next, emphasizing a temporal or sequential order.
In documents or presentations, "below" is often used to refer to content that appears lower on the same page or later in a list. Whereas "following" might refer to elements that appear in subsequent sections or chapters, regardless of their physical placement.
"Below" can also imply inferiority in terms of hierarchy or status in certain contexts, such as in a corporate or social structure. In contrast, "following" does not inherently convey a hierarchy; it simply denotes what comes next.
When giving directions, "below" might be used to instruct someone to look or write beneath a certain point or line. On the other hand, "following" is used to guide actions that should be taken after the current step is completed.
In coding or technical instructions, "below" can specify a reference to code lines or items that are lower down in the document. Conversely, "following" could be used to describe processes or instructions that are to be executed next, highlighting a procedural sequence rather than a spatial arrangement.
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Comparison Chart
Usage in Text
Refers to content lower on the same page.
Refers to content in subsequent sections.
Sequence
Indicates position under a point or level.
Indicates temporal or sequential order.
Hierarchical Connotation
May imply inferior status or rank.
Neutral regarding hierarchy.
Common in
Spatial descriptions, diagrams.
Instructions, guides, narratives.
Examples
Below the image, below sea level.
Following the meeting, following steps.
Compare with Definitions
Below
Refers to a position at a lower level or layer than something else.
The storage is located below the main deck of the ship.
Following
Next in time or order.
The following day brought clear skies and calm seas.
Below
In text, it indicates something written or mentioned on a lower part of the page.
Additional details can be found in the chart below.
Following
Referring to the ensuing words or passage in a text.
The guidelines are outlined in the following section.
Below
Used to denote a lesser quantity or degree.
The temperature fell below freezing last night.
Following
Used in laws or formal rules to specify entities or items to be considered.
The following items are prohibited on the premises: alcohol, drugs, weapons.
Below
Used to signify a lower rank or lesser importance.
His position in the company is below that of a manager.
Following
Coming after or as a result of.
Following the meeting, all members agreed on a new strategy.
Below
In a geographical context, it can mean downstream or southward.
The village is situated below the large bend of the river.
Following
In tracking or monitoring, it implies maintaining continuous awareness of someone or something.
The detective was following the suspect to gather more evidence.
Below
In or to a lower place; beneath.
Following
Following is a 1998 independent neo-noir crime thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. It tells the story of a young man who follows strangers around the streets of London and is drawn into a criminal underworld when he fails to keep his distance.
Below
On or to a lower floor; downstairs.
Following
Coming next in time or order
In the following chapter.
Below
(Nautical) On or to a lower deck.
Following
Now to be enumerated
The following people will report for duty.
Below
In a later part of a given text
Figures quoted below.
Following
Blowing in the same direction as the course of a ship or aircraft. Used of wind.
Below
Farther down, as along a slope or valley.
Following
A group or gathering of admirers, adherents, or disciples
A lecturer with a large following.
Below
In or to hell or Hades.
Following
The item or items to be mentioned next
Please buy the following.
Below
On the earth.
Following
Subsequent to; after
Following dinner, brandy was served in the study.
Below
In a lower rank or class.
Following
Coming next, either in sequence or in time.
See the following section.
Below
Below zero in temperature
40° below.
Following
About to be specified.
The following words have no definition...
Below
Underneath; beneath.
Following
(of a wind) Blowing in the direction of travel.
The following wind sped us on our way.
Below
Lower than, as on a graduated scale.
Following
After, subsequent to.
Following the meeting, we all had a chat.
Below
Downstream of
Launched the canoe just below the bridge.
Following
A group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage.
He had a loyal following.
Below
South of
Guatemala is below Mexico.
Following
Vocation; business; profession.
Below
Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of
Such petty behavior is below me.
Following
(with definite article, treated as singular or plural) A thing or things to be mentioned immediately after.
The following is a recommendation letter from the president.
The following are the three most important questions.
Below
Lower in spatial position than.
The treasure is buried two meters below the surface.
The marmalade is on the shelf below the bread.
Following
Present participle of follow
Below
Lower than in value, price, rank, concentration, etc.
The temperature is below zero.
Liverpool are below Manchester City in the Premier League.
Following
One's followers, adherents, or dependents, collectively.
Below
Downstream of.
The River Thames is tidal below Teddington Lock.
Following
Vocation; business; profession.
Below
South of.
Sudan is below Egypt.
Following
Next after; succeeding; ensuing; as, the assembly was held on the following day.
Below
Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of; beneath.
Such petty behavior is below me.
Following
In the field of a telescope) In the direction from which stars are apparently moving (in consequence of the earth's rotation); as, a small star, north following or south following. In the direction toward which stars appear to move is called preceding.
Below
(stage directions) Downstage of.
Following
A group of followers or enthusiasts
Below
In or to a lower place.
The town is situated on a hillside, with a river running below.
He was pulled below by a sea monster.
Following
The act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture;
The culprit started to run and the cop took off in pursuit
Below
On or to a lower storey.
She lives below, on the ground floor.
Following
Going or proceeding or coming after in the same direction;
The crowd of following cars made the occasion seem like a parade
Tried to outrun the following footsteps
Below
(nautical) On or to a lower deck, especially as relative to the main deck.
The captain went below to inspect the engine.
The landlubbers lying down below
Following
In the desired direction;
A following wind
Below
Later in the same text.
This point is explained below.
By their execution hereof, the Parties incur a legal obligation to pass consideration under this Loan Contract as is set forth below.
Following
Immediately following in time or order;
The following day
Next in line
The next president
The next item on the list
Below
(of a temperature) Below zero.
It was forty degrees below.
Following
About to be mentioned or specified;
The following items
Below
Under, or lower in place; beneath not so high; as, below the moon; below the knee.
Below
Inferior to in rank, excellence, dignity, value, amount, price, etc.; lower in quality.
Below
Unworthy of; unbefitting; beneath.
They beheld, with a just loathing and disdain, . . . how below all history the persons and their actions were.
Who thinks no fact below his regard.
Below
In a lower place, with respect to any object; in a lower room; beneath.
Lord Marmion waits below.
Below
On the earth, as opposed to the heavens.
The fairest child of Jove below.
Below
In hell, or the regions of the dead.
What business brought him to the realms below.
Below
In court or tribunal of inferior jurisdiction; as, at the trial below.
Below
In some part or page following.
Below
In or to a place that is lower
Below
At a later place;
See below
Below
(in writing) see below;
Vide infra
Below
On a floor below;
The tenants live downstairs
Below
Further down;
See under for further discussion
Common Curiosities
How is "following" used in instructions?
Following is used to indicate the next steps or procedures in instructions or guides.
Is "below" used for hierarchical structures?
Yes, it can imply a lower status or rank within hierarchical structures.
Can "below" and "following" be used interchangeably?
Not usually, as they serve different spatial and sequential functions.
What does "below" typically imply in writing?
Below usually refers to something lower on the same page or lower in a spatial or hierarchical order.
What is the difference in context usage between "below" and "following"?
Below is more spatially oriented, while following is more sequence-oriented.
How do meanings of "below" and "following" change in technical contexts?
In technical contexts, below might refer to lower parts of a code or schematic, while following could refer to subsequent operations or procedures.
What are examples of "following" in everyday language?
Examples include temporal directions like 'following this, we will have a break' or procedural steps like 'following the instructions carefully.'
Can "following" imply a sequence in time?
Yes, following often denotes something that comes next in time or sequence.
How does "below" relate to academic writing?
Below is used to refer to parts of the text that appear later in the document or directly underneath.
What scenarios are best suited for using "following"?
Following is ideal for temporal sequences, such as lists of instructions or events.
What are examples of "below" in everyday language?
Examples include directions like 'see the information below' or spatial references like 'the apartment below mine.'
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
