The Following Is or The Following Are? Grammar Rules and Examples

Quick Summary:

Use “the following is” when introducing a single item, singular noun, or one document (e.g., “The following is a photograph of the building”). Use “the following are” when introducing multiple items, a plural list, or several objects (e.g., “The following are online links to the tutorials”). The choice between “is” and “are” depends entirely on whether the noun that comes next is singular or plural.

Introduction: Mastering Introductory Phrases in English

When writing business emails, academic reports, or instructional guides, you often need to introduce upcoming information. A popular phrase used to signal that a list, document, or example is about to appear is “the following.”

However, many English language learners find themselves pausing at the verb:

Should I write “the following is” or “the following are”?
Is “the following” considered singular or plural?
What is the difference between “following” and “the following”?

The rule behind this expression is straightforward once you understand how subject-verb agreement works in English. This guide breaks down the grammar rules, provides real-world sentence examples, and offers clear alternatives to make your writing crisp and professional.

The Core Rule: Subject-Verb Agreement

The basic rule for using auxiliary verbs like is and are comes down to number agreement:

A singular subject takes a singular verb (is).
A plural subject takes a plural verb (are).

Subject-Verb Alignment Blueprint:

  "The following" + [ Singular Noun ]  --->  IS   (e.g., "The following IS a link")
  "The following" + [ Plural Noun ]    --->  ARE  (e.g., "The following ARE links")

In the introductory phrase “the following is/are,” the phrase “the following” acts as a pronoun or determiner pointing forward to the noun that immediately comes after it. Therefore, the noun that follows determines whether you use “is” or “are.”

When to Use “The Following Is”

Use “the following is” whenever the noun, object, or concept being introduced is singular (one single thing or group).

1. Introducing a Single Item or Document

When presenting one photograph, one link, one document, or a single list, pair the phrase with “is”:

“The following is a photograph of the President’s visit to Europe.”
“The following is an online link to a tutorial on how to edit a professional email.”
“The following is the exact result you expect to see after testing the software.”

2. When “Following” Functions as an Adjective for a Singular Subject

When “following” acts as an adjective meaning “next” or “coming after,” match it with a singular verb if the noun it modifies is singular:

“According to weather reports, the following day is going to be warm.”
“The following post lists the copyright policies of the company.”

3. Referring to a Single Collective Body of Followers

When “the following” functions as a singular noun referring to a single group, fanbase, or audience, use “is”:

“The following is composed of young and old fans who love classic cinema.”
“The hit television show has built a loyal following that is growing daily.”

When to Use “The Following Are”

Use “the following are” whenever the items being introduced are plural (two or more things, or a list of multiple distinct items).

1. Introducing Multiple Items or a Plural List

When presenting multiple links, photographs, steps, or names, pair the phrase with “are”:

“The following are photographs of the President’s visit to Europe.”
“The following are online links to tutorials on how to write professional reports.”
“The following are the exact results you want to achieve.”

2. When “Following” Functions as an Adjective for Plural Subjects

When “following” modifies a plural noun phrase, use “are”:

“According to weather reports, the following days are going to be very warm.”
“The following chapters are required reading for Monday’s seminar.”

Is “The Following” Singular or Plural?

“The following” is grammatically flexible—it can be either singular or plural depending entirely on the noun or list that follows it.

Look at how the verb shifts based on the noun phrase:

Sentence Structure	Verb Choice	Reason for Choice	Example Sentence
Followed by 1 Noun	is	Modified by a singular noun (link)	“The following is a link to our catalog.”
Followed by Multiple Nouns	are	Modified by a plural noun (links)	“The following are* links to our catalog.”*
Followed by 1 Result	is	Modified by a singular noun (result)	“The following is the main result.”
Followed by Multiple Results	are	Modified by a plural noun (results)	“The following are* the main results.”*

Related Grammar Rule: “Each Is” vs. “Each Are”

A closely related point of confusion for English learners involves the indefinite pronoun each. People often wonder: Should I say “each is” or “each are”?

The correct expression is always “each is.”

Why “Each” Is Always Singular

“Each” refers to individual persons or items within a group, considered one by one. Because it singles out individual units, it is singular in form and must always take a singular verb (is or has), even if a plural noun phrase follows it.

Correct: “Each of the rooms is big enough for a family of five.”
Incorrect: “Each of the rooms are big enough…”
Correct: “Each member of the band is American.”
Correct: “Each day is colder than the day before.”

“Following” vs. “The Following”: Understanding the Differences

The word “following” can perform multiple grammatical roles depending on whether it is preceded by the article “the.”

“The following” as a Noun (Introductory Phrase): Used to introduce upcoming information.
- “The following is a summary of our meeting.”
“Following” as a Standalone Noun (Group of Supporters): Refers to an audience or fanbase.
- “The author has built a massive global following.”
“Following” as a Verb (Action): The present participle of the verb to follow.
- “The puppy is following its owner down the street.”
“Following” as a Preposition (Meaning “after” or “as a result of”):
- “Following the thunderstorm, the roads were closed for safety.”

Style Tip: Avoid starting a sentence with “Following is a list…” without the article “the.” Omission of “the” can confuse readers into thinking “following” is a verb rather than an introductory phrase. Always write “The following is…” or “The following are…” for clarity.

Conciseness Tip: Better Alternatives in Business Writing

While “the following is” and “the following are” are grammatically correct, overusing them in formal emails can sometimes make your writing sound robotic, formal, or wordy.

To make your business writing concise and direct, consider using these modern alternatives:

Instead of: “The following are three items you need to review…”
- Try: “Please review these three items…”
Instead of: “The following is a list of our office policies…”
- Try: “Here is a list of our office policies…”
Instead of: “The following are the coordinates for the event…”
- Try: “Below, you’ll find the event details…”

Practice Exercise: Test Your Knowledge

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence:

The following ________ the official guidelines for submitting your application.

a) is

b) are

c) being
According to the schedule, the following weeks ________ going to be busy.

a) is

b) are

c) was
Each of the participants ________ required to sign a registration form.

a) is

b) are

c) have

(Answers: 1 = b, 2 = b, 3 = a)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you start a paragraph with “The following is…”?

Yes. Starting a paragraph or section with “The following is…” or “The following are…” is a common way to introduce a block quote, table, image, or bulleted list in technical, legal, and academic writing.

Is “the following are as follows” correct?

No. Writing “the following are as follows” is redundant because both “the following” and “as follows” serve the exact same introductory purpose. Choose one or the other (e.g., “The results are as follows:” or “The following are the results:”).

What is the difference between “as follows” and “the following”?

“As follows” is a fixed adverbial phrase that never changes to plural (you should never write “as follow”). It can introduce both singular and plural items (e.g., “The rules are as follows:”). “The following,” however, changes its verb based on number (“the following is” vs. “the following are”).

Master English Grammar and Sentence Structure

Mastering subject-verb agreement in phrases like “the following is vs. the following are” ensures that your writing remains accurate, professional, and clear.

To continue refining your grammar, prepositions, and professional writing skills, explore our full library of guides on the English Forward Grammar Hub.

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