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Formative vs Following - What's the difference?

formative | following |

As adjectives the difference between formative and following

is that formative is of or pertaining to the formation and subsequent growth of something while following is coming next, either in sequence or in time.

As nouns the difference between formative and following

is that formative is (grammar) a language unit that has morphological function while following is a group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage.

As a preposition following is

after, subsequent to.

formative

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to the formation and subsequent growth of something.
    • My formative years were spent in an inner city.
  • Capable of forming something.
  • (biology) Capable of producing new tissue.
  • (grammar) Pertaining to the inflection of words.

    • Derived terms

    * formativeness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (grammar) A language unit that has morphological function.
    • ----

    following

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Coming next, either in sequence or in time.
  • * 1835 , Sir , Sir (James Clark Ross), Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-west Passage …, Volume 1 , pp.284-5
    • Towards the following morning, the thermometer fell to 5°; and at daylight, there was not an atom of water to be seen in any direction.
  • About to be specified.
  • (of a wind) Blowing in the direction of travel.

    • Usage notes

    (Senses 1, 2) When it modifies a noun phrase, it is generally preceded by the definite article the'', and the combination functions as a determiner rather than a simple adjective. You can put it before a cardinal like ''the following two remarks'' instead of ''the two following remarks .

    Antonyms

    * abovementioned * aforementioned * aforesaid

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • After, subsequent to.
    • Following the meeting, we all had a chat.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage.
    • He had a loyal following .
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=September 29 , author=Jon Smith , title=Tottenham 3 - 1 Shamrock Rovers , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=And White Hart Lane was stunned when Rovers scored just five minutes after the restart in front of their away following .}}
  • Something to be mentioned immediately later. Used with the definite article the .
    • The following is a recommendation letter from the president.
  • Vocation; business; profession.

    • Statistics

    *