Intermediate
Grammar
#asfollows
#specs
"As Follows" and "The Following" in Technical English
5 exercises — practise introducing colon-led lists correctly with "as follows" and "the following".
0 / 25 completed
1 / 25
Which sentence correctly uses "as follows" to introduce a colon-led list of deployment steps?
"The rollback procedure is as follows: stop traffic, revert the image, and re-run health checks" is correct: "as follows" is a frozen phrase that never changes form, regardless of whether the preceding subject is singular or plural, and it directly precedes the colon. Option B incorrectly drops the "-s" from "follows". Option C wrongly changes the verb before it to "are", but "as follows" itself never varies and the singular subject "procedure" needs "is" anyway. Option D inserts "it", which is not part of the fixed expression.
2 / 25
Choose the sentence that correctly uses "as follows" even though the introduced list has multiple plural items.
"The required environment variables are as follows: API_KEY, DB_HOST, and LOG_LEVEL" is correct: "as follows" stays fixed regardless of the plural subject "variables" (which correctly takes "are" before it). Option B incorrectly drops the "-s" from "follows", a common error assuming it should agree with the plural subject. Option C incorrectly uses singular "is" with the plural subject "variables". Option D incorrectly changes "follows" to the past participle "followed", which is not the fixed idiom.
3 / 25
Which sentence correctly uses "the following" as a determiner introducing a noun before a colon-led list?
"Before merging, confirm the following checks have passed: lint, unit tests, and type-check" is correct: "the following" functions as a determiner directly modifying the noun "checks", a standard pattern for introducing a list item-by-item. Option B incorrectly uses "follows" as if it were an adjective, which is ungrammatical. Option C wrongly substitutes "as follows" (which requires a linking verb like "is/are" before it, not a bare noun phrase) in place of the determiner "the following". Option D incorrectly adds a possessive apostrophe-s to "following", which is not a noun here.
4 / 25
Select the sentence that correctly uses "the following" alone as a noun phrase (without a following noun) before a list.
"To reproduce the bug, do the following: clear cache, restart the service, and resend the request" is correct: "the following" can stand alone as a noun phrase meaning "the things that follow", directly before the colon and list. Option B incorrectly uses "follows" as a noun, which is not idiomatic. Option C incorrectly inserts "as" before "the following", mixing the two fixed patterns. Option D redundantly adds "are" after "following", which already functions as the object of "do" and needs no extra verb.
5 / 25
Which sentence correctly avoids the common error of combining "as follows" and "the following" into one ungrammatical hybrid?
"The migration steps are as follows: back up the schema, apply the patch, and verify row counts" is correct: "as follows" is used correctly on its own after the linking verb "are", without mixing in "the". Option B incorrectly blends "as follows" with "the following" into the ungrammatical "as the following". Option C reorders the words into a meaningless hybrid. Option D places "the" in an invalid position within the fixed phrase.
6 / 25
PR#12345 describes a recent API update. Reviewer Alex comments: "The response structure is now more flexible and allows for additional fields. As follows, we need to update all client-side code to accommodate the new schema.". Which of the following best captures the intended meaning of Alex's comment regarding its use within a PR description?
'As follows' in this context signals an introduction of subsequent details related to the API update. It doesn't merely state facts; it implies that what follows is *necessary* due to the change. Option A incorrectly suggests immediate urgency without justification, while option C misunderstands the function of the phrase and option D misinterprets the scope of the required changes. The key is understanding that 'as follows' here acts as a cue for further specification related to the update.7 / 25
PR#67890 details a change to the user authentication API. The developer, Sarah, writes in the PR description: "The new endpoint returns a JSON object with a 'status' field indicating success or failure. As follows, we should add logging around all calls to this endpoint to monitor for errors."The phrase "as follows" is used here to introduce a subsequent action. Sarah's comment highlights that simply adding logs isn't enough; it needs to be part of a broader strategy for handling potential errors. The correct answer recognizes this – logging is a necessary first step but doesn't fully address the problem, while the other options misinterpret the function of 'as follows' as a directive for a detailed plan.
8 / 25
Reviewer David in a Slack message to the team regarding PR#98765 states: "The service now supports multiple document uploads. As follows, we'll need to adjust our data processing pipeline to handle larger payloads.". Which of the following best describes David's intent and the typical usage of this phrasing within a development context?David is using 'as follows' to signal a direct consequence of the new feature (multiple document uploads). This phrasing indicates that something needs to be done *because* of this change. A common misconception is to think it always requires a detailed explanation; instead, it's often used to simply indicate what action should logically follow. The other options misinterpret its function – it doesn't imply a full breakdown or detail the steps, but rather a direct consequence.
9 / 25
Backend has just released a new API endpoint for retrieving customer order data. The documentation states: "To retrieve all orders for a specific customer, use the /orders/{customer_id} endpoint and specify the format=json query parameter. As follows, you will receive a JSON array containing details about each order.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of this statement within the API documentation?This statement serves as an introductory clause to provide context for the API endpoint. The phrase "As follows" signals that a detailed explanation of the response structure is about to be presented. It's common in documentation to use this phrasing to smoothly transition into describing the *content* of the returned data, not just the technical mechanisms like the endpoint URL or query parameters – a misconception often seen when developers are simply focusing on the syntax.
10 / 25
A developer is writing a PR description for a change to the payment processing microservice. They've implemented a new field in the API response – `transaction_status` – that indicates whether a transaction was successful or not. The team lead, Emily, comments: 'As follows, we should update our front-end validation logic to check this status and display an appropriate error message if it's failing.' Which of the following best explains Emily's comment within the context of a PR description?
Emily's use of 'as follows' here functions as a transitional phrase signaling that she's about to detail the necessary subsequent actions. It's a common pattern in PR descriptions to indicate that what follows explains the *impact* and *required changes* stemming from the API update – not a redundant statement, nor an instruction for immediate deployment. The key is clarifying the downstream effects of the change.
11 / 25
PR#12345 describes a recent API update. Reviewer Alex comments: "The response structure is now more flexible and allows for additional fields. As follows, we need to update all client-side code to accommodate the new schema.". Which of the following best captures the intended meaning of Alex's comment regarding its use within a PR description?
'As follows' in this context signals an introduction of subsequent details related to the API update. It doesn't merely state facts; it implies that what follows is *necessary* due to the change. Option A incorrectly suggests immediate urgency without justification, while option C misunderstands the function of the phrase and option D misinterprets the scope of the required changes. The key is understanding that 'as follows' here acts as a cue for further specification related to the update.12 / 25
PR#67890 details a change to the user authentication API. The developer, Sarah, writes in the PR description: "The new endpoint returns a JSON object with a 'status' field indicating success or failure. As follows, we should add logging around all calls to this endpoint to monitor for errors."The phrase "as follows" is used here to introduce a subsequent action. Sarah's comment highlights that simply adding logs isn't enough; it needs to be part of a broader strategy for handling potential errors. The correct answer recognizes this – logging is a necessary first step but doesn't fully address the problem, while the other options misinterpret the function of 'as follows' as a directive for a detailed plan.
13 / 25
Reviewer David in a Slack message to the team regarding PR#98765 states: "The service now supports multiple document uploads. As follows, we'll need to adjust our data processing pipeline to handle larger payloads.". Which of the following best describes David's intent and the typical usage of this phrasing within a development context?David is using 'as follows' to signal a direct consequence of the new feature (multiple document uploads). This phrasing indicates that something needs to be done *because* of this change. A common misconception is to think it always requires a detailed explanation; instead, it's often used to simply indicate what action should logically follow. The other options misinterpret its function – it doesn't imply a full breakdown or detail the steps, but rather a direct consequence.
14 / 25
Backend has just released a new API endpoint for retrieving customer order data. The documentation states: "To retrieve all orders for a specific customer, use the /orders/{customer_id} endpoint and specify the format=json query parameter. As follows, you will receive a JSON array containing details about each order.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of this statement within the API documentation?This statement serves as an introductory clause to provide context for the API endpoint. The phrase "As follows" signals that a detailed explanation of the response structure is about to be presented. It's common in documentation to use this phrasing to smoothly transition into describing the *content* of the returned data, not just the technical mechanisms like the endpoint URL or query parameters – a misconception often seen when developers are simply focusing on the syntax.
15 / 25
A developer is writing a PR description for a change to the payment processing microservice. They've implemented a new field in the API response – `transaction_status` – that indicates whether a transaction was successful or not. The team lead, Emily, comments: 'As follows, we should update our front-end validation logic to check this status and display an appropriate error message if it's failing.' Which of the following best explains Emily's comment within the context of a PR description?
Emily's use of 'as follows' here functions as a transitional phrase signaling that she's about to detail the necessary subsequent actions. It's a common pattern in PR descriptions to indicate that what follows explains the *impact* and *required changes* stemming from the API update – not a redundant statement, nor an instruction for immediate deployment. The key is clarifying the downstream effects of the change.
16 / 25
PR#12345 describes a recent API update. Reviewer Alex comments: "The response structure is now more flexible and allows for additional fields. As follows, we need to update all client-side code to accommodate the new schema.". Which of the following best captures the intended meaning of Alex's comment regarding its use within a PR description?
'As follows' in this context signals an introduction of subsequent details related to the API update. It doesn't merely state facts; it implies that what follows is *necessary* due to the change. Option A incorrectly suggests immediate urgency without justification, while option C misunderstands the function of the phrase and option D misinterprets the scope of the required changes. The key is understanding that 'as follows' here acts as a cue for further specification related to the update.17 / 25
PR#67890 details a change to the user authentication API. The developer, Sarah, writes in the PR description: "The new endpoint returns a JSON object with a 'status' field indicating success or failure. As follows, we should add logging around all calls to this endpoint to monitor for errors."The phrase "as follows" is used here to introduce a subsequent action. Sarah's comment highlights that simply adding logs isn't enough; it needs to be part of a broader strategy for handling potential errors. The correct answer recognizes this – logging is a necessary first step but doesn't fully address the problem, while the other options misinterpret the function of 'as follows' as a directive for a detailed plan.
18 / 25
Reviewer David in a Slack message to the team regarding PR#98765 states: "The service now supports multiple document uploads. As follows, we'll need to adjust our data processing pipeline to handle larger payloads.". Which of the following best describes David's intent and the typical usage of this phrasing within a development context?David is using 'as follows' to signal a direct consequence of the new feature (multiple document uploads). This phrasing indicates that something needs to be done *because* of this change. A common misconception is to think it always requires a detailed explanation; instead, it's often used to simply indicate what action should logically follow. The other options misinterpret its function – it doesn't imply a full breakdown or detail the steps, but rather a direct consequence.
19 / 25
Backend has just released a new API endpoint for retrieving customer order data. The documentation states: "To retrieve all orders for a specific customer, use the /orders/{customer_id} endpoint and specify the format=json query parameter. As follows, you will receive a JSON array containing details about each order.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of this statement within the API documentation?This statement serves as an introductory clause to provide context for the API endpoint. The phrase "As follows" signals that a detailed explanation of the response structure is about to be presented. It's common in documentation to use this phrasing to smoothly transition into describing the *content* of the returned data, not just the technical mechanisms like the endpoint URL or query parameters – a misconception often seen when developers are simply focusing on the syntax.
20 / 25
A developer is writing a PR description for a change to the payment processing microservice. They've implemented a new field in the API response – `transaction_status` – that indicates whether a transaction was successful or not. The team lead, Emily, comments: 'As follows, we should update our front-end validation logic to check this status and display an appropriate error message if it's failing.' Which of the following best explains Emily's comment within the context of a PR description?
Emily's use of 'as follows' here functions as a transitional phrase signaling that she's about to detail the necessary subsequent actions. It's a common pattern in PR descriptions to indicate that what follows explains the *impact* and *required changes* stemming from the API update – not a redundant statement, nor an instruction for immediate deployment. The key is clarifying the downstream effects of the change.
21 / 25
PR#12345 describes a recent API update. Reviewer Alex comments: "The response structure is now more flexible and allows for additional fields. As follows, we need to update all client-side code to accommodate the new schema.". Which of the following best captures the intended meaning of Alex's comment regarding its use within a PR description?
'As follows' in this context signals an introduction of subsequent details related to the API update. It doesn't merely state facts; it implies that what follows is *necessary* due to the change. Option A incorrectly suggests immediate urgency without justification, while option C misunderstands the function of the phrase and option D misinterprets the scope of the required changes. The key is understanding that 'as follows' here acts as a cue for further specification related to the update.22 / 25
PR#67890 details a change to the user authentication API. The developer, Sarah, writes in the PR description: "The new endpoint returns a JSON object with a 'status' field indicating success or failure. As follows, we should add logging around all calls to this endpoint to monitor for errors."The phrase "as follows" is used here to introduce a subsequent action. Sarah's comment highlights that simply adding logs isn't enough; it needs to be part of a broader strategy for handling potential errors. The correct answer recognizes this – logging is a necessary first step but doesn't fully address the problem, while the other options misinterpret the function of 'as follows' as a directive for a detailed plan.
23 / 25
Reviewer David in a Slack message to the team regarding PR#98765 states: "The service now supports multiple document uploads. As follows, we'll need to adjust our data processing pipeline to handle larger payloads.". Which of the following best describes David's intent and the typical usage of this phrasing within a development context?David is using 'as follows' to signal a direct consequence of the new feature (multiple document uploads). This phrasing indicates that something needs to be done *because* of this change. A common misconception is to think it always requires a detailed explanation; instead, it's often used to simply indicate what action should logically follow. The other options misinterpret its function – it doesn't imply a full breakdown or detail the steps, but rather a direct consequence.
24 / 25
Backend has just released a new API endpoint for retrieving customer order data. The documentation states: "To retrieve all orders for a specific customer, use the /orders/{customer_id} endpoint and specify the format=json query parameter. As follows, you will receive a JSON array containing details about each order.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of this statement within the API documentation?This statement serves as an introductory clause to provide context for the API endpoint. The phrase "As follows" signals that a detailed explanation of the response structure is about to be presented. It's common in documentation to use this phrasing to smoothly transition into describing the *content* of the returned data, not just the technical mechanisms like the endpoint URL or query parameters – a misconception often seen when developers are simply focusing on the syntax.
25 / 25
A developer is writing a PR description for a change to the payment processing microservice. They've implemented a new field in the API response – `transaction_status` – that indicates whether a transaction was successful or not. The team lead, Emily, comments: 'As follows, we should update our front-end validation logic to check this status and display an appropriate error message if it's failing.' Which of the following best explains Emily's comment within the context of a PR description?
Emily's use of 'as follows' here functions as a transitional phrase signaling that she's about to detail the necessary subsequent actions. It's a common pattern in PR descriptions to indicate that what follows explains the *impact* and *required changes* stemming from the API update – not a redundant statement, nor an instruction for immediate deployment. The key is clarifying the downstream effects of the change.
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What will I practise in ""As Follows" and "The Following" in Technical English — IT Grammar Exercise"?
Practise the fixed phrase "as follows" and the determiner/noun phrase "the following" for introducing colon-led lists in specifications, runbooks
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