Mastering "Following That Incident": A Simple Grammar Guide

Ever wondered how to precisely describe events that happen after something specific? The English adverbial phrase following that incident is a powerful tool for this! It helps you connect ideas and show cause or sequence in your sentences, enhancing your fluency in English. Understanding its meaning and how to use adverbial phrases like this naturally will significantly improve your sentence structure and overall communication. Let's explore how to master this useful phrase.

Table of Contents

• What Does "Following That Incident" Mean?
• What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is "Following That Incident"?
• Example Sentences with "Following That Incident"
• When and How to Use "Following That Incident"
• Summary and Practice Tip

What Does "Following That Incident" Mean?

The phrase "following that incident" means "after that particular event" or "as a direct result of that specific occurrence." It indicates that something happened subsequently or consequentially to a previously mentioned situation or event. It functions as an adverbial phrase of time and consequence, modifying the main verb in a sentence by telling us when or why something happened based on a past event.

What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is "Following That Incident"?

"Following that incident" is an adverbial phrase of time and reason/consequence. It specifies when an action occurs in relation to a past event and often implies a causal link. According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, "following" can be used as a preposition meaning 'after'. In this phrase, "following" acts like a preposition, introducing the noun phrase "that incident."

Its grammatical structure breaks down as:

• Following: This acts as a preposition (or a participial preposition) that introduces the subsequent event.
• That: A demonstrative determiner, pointing back to a specific, previously mentioned incident.
• Incident: The noun, referring to the event itself.

This phrase can appear in different positions within a sentence, often at the beginning or end.

Here are some sample sentence patterns:

• Subject + Verb + [Adverbial Phrase]
  • Security improved significantly following that incident.
• [Adverbial Phrase], Subject + Verb
  • Following that incident, the team reviewed their safety protocols.

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Example Sentences with "Following That Incident"

Here are some ways to use "following that incident" naturally:

• "Following that incident, new safety regulations were put in place at the factory."
• "The company's stock value dropped sharply following that incident with the product recall."
• Person A: "Why did the school suddenly change its policy on outdoor trips?" Person B: "Following that incident during the last field trip, they decided to implement stricter guidelines."
• "He was more cautious about investments following that incident where he lost a lot of money."

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When and How to Use "Following That Incident"

"Following that incident" is typically used in more formal contexts. It's common in:

• Reports and official statements: Explaining consequences or changes in policy.
  • Example: "Following that incident, an investigation was launched."
• News articles or formal speech: Describing events in sequence or with a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
  • Example: "The minister resigned following that incident of public outcry."
• Explaining decisions or changes: When you need to clearly link an action to a specific past event.

Common variations or related phrases include "after that event," "as a result of that," or "subsequent to that occurrence." While "after that" is more general and informal, "following that incident" adds a touch of formality and often implies a more significant or impactful event.

A common mistake ESL learners make is confusing it with simpler phrases like "then" or "afterwards," which don't always carry the same weight of consequence. Remember that "following that incident" usually points to a specific, often negative or impactful, prior event that led to a clear outcome.

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Summary and Practice Tip

In summary, "following that incident" is a formal and clear adverbial phrase meaning "after that specific event" or "as a consequence of it." It's excellent for connecting ideas and showing a direct link between a past event and subsequent actions. It helps you modify verbs by providing specific temporal and causal information.

To practice using this phrase, try writing a sentence about something that happened in your city, school, or workplace that led to a change. Start your sentence with "Following that incident..." Share your sentence in the comments below, or simply try using it in your next English conversation!