The word "following" serves as a versatile transitional marker in literature, often functioning to signal what comes next—whether in time, order, or presentation. In many texts, it introduces subsequent events, as seen when authors refer to specific time frames (“the following day” in [1], [2], [3]) or indicate that something immediately succeeds an initial action ([4], [5]). It is equally used for listing or enumerative purposes, preparing readers for additional details with phrases like “the following examples” ([6], [7], [8]). Moreover, "following" can denote physical sequence or proximity, as illustrated in narrative contexts where characters move in succession ("following at a little distance" in [9] or "following just behind" in [10]). Thus, this small word efficiently bridges ideas and events, guiding the reader through a structured, sequential narrative.