“Today, we are going to learn about an important phrase often used in questions and multiple-choice tests: ‘Which of the Following.
Generally speaking this phrase is synonym to ‘ We’ll start by understanding its definition, then we’ll look at its complete usage, and finally, we’ll cover the relevant grammar rules. This approach will help us grasp not only what ‘Which of the Following’ means, but also how to use it correctly in different contexts.”
Don’t miss our new video about Which of the Following – watch now!
What does “which of the following” mean?
We often face this phrase in multiple answer questions in exams.
“Which of the following” is used to ask the reader to choose one or more answers that follow the question.
It actually refers to a list of items that come after the question. Following are a few examples of the use of this phrase in English tests.
You might also enjoy: Pennies On the Dollar: Meaning + Grammar + 5 Ways to Use It
Examples:
- Which of the following is a preposition?
- Which of the following is correct?
- Which of the following is incorrect?
- Which of the following are adverbs?
How to use “which of the followings”?
“‘Which of the following’ is a phrase used to introduce a list of options or choices from which the respondent needs to select one or more that meet a specific criterion. It’s commonly used in questions to prompt the selection of the correct or most appropriate answer.”
“Let’s look at how ‘Which of the following’ is used in different scenarios. This phrase is often found in multiple-choice questions in exams, quizzes, and surveys. Here are some examples:
In a science test: ‘Which of the following elements is a noble gas?’
- a) Oxygen
- b) Nitrogen
- c) Argon
- d) Hydrogen
In a history quiz: ‘Which of the following events occurred first?’
- a) The signing of the Magna Carta
- b) The American Revolution
- c) The French Revolution
- d) The Industrial Revolution
In a survey: ‘Which of the following features do you find most useful in our product?’
- a) Ease of use
- b) Customer support
- c) Price
- d) Functionality
In each example, the phrase ‘Which of the following’ introduces a set of choices, and the respondent must select the one that best fits the question’s criterion.”
Grammar
“Understanding the grammatical structure of ‘Which of the following’ is crucial for proper usage:
– Position in a Sentence: The phrase ‘Which of the following’ typically appears at the beginning of a question. It is followed by a list of options, usually numbered or lettered, to facilitate easy selection.
Example: ‘Which of the following books is your favorite?’
Subject-Verb Agreement:
The verb that follows should agree with the noun in the options. If the noun is singular, use a singular verb; if the noun is plural, use a plural verb.
Example: ‘Which of the following countries is the largest by area?’ (countries – plural, is – singular verb because we’re asking about one largest country)
Punctuation:
When used in a question, ‘Which of the following’ is followed by a question mark at the end of the sentence.
Example: ‘Which of the following options do you prefer?’
By practicing these rules, you will be able to use ‘Which of the following’ accurately and effectively in your questions.”
Should I use is or are with which of the following?
The choice between “is” and “are” when using “Which of the following” depends on whether you are referring to a singular or plural noun. Here’s a clear guide:
Using “Is”
– Use “is” when the noun you are referring to is singular.
– Example: “Which of the following books **is** your favorite?”
– “Books” is plural, but you are asking about one specific favorite book, so “is” is correct.
Using “Are”
– Use “are” when the noun you are referring to is plural.
– Example: “Which of the following statements **are** true?”
– “Statements” is plural, and you are potentially asking about more than one statement, so “are” is correct.
Is it correct to use “which of the followings”?
The answer is a strict ‘No’. that is because “the following” means “the next”, so it can not be pluralized.
Actually, “following” is an ‘adjective’ and we cannot make adjectives plural. Let’s take the example of “sunny” as an adjective.
We can never make it plural and say “sunnies”. Therefore, “which of the following” is always used in this fixed way.
“Which of the following is” or “which of the following are”?
Actually, both are correct, but there are important grammatical points to consider about each of them.
When we use singular verb after “the following”, we are asking the reader to choose ‘only one answer’ from the list of options. Look at the following examples to understand this better.
Examples:
Which of the following is a reptile?
- Lizard
- Seal
- Bear
- Dog
Which of the following is a winter sport?
- Golf
- Hockey
- Skating
- Swimming
Which of the following is not a flying bird?
- Chicken
- Swallow
- Sparrow
- Crow
As you see in all of these questions, we are asking the reader to choose only one of the answers. Actually, there is only one correct answer to choose.
We use “which of the following are” when we want the reader to choose more than one item of the list.
For example, there can be more than one correct answer or there may be no ‘right or wrong’ answers, but we only want to know the preference of the reader, like in psychological tests. Let’s check a few examples to understand this better.
You might also enjoy: Top 30 Words That End With “Ful”
Examples:
which of the following are mammals?
- Bear
- Sheep
- Snake
- Bat
Which of the following are summer activities?
- Swimming
- Mountain climbing
- Skiing
- Hocky
Which of the following are adverbs of time?
- Never
- Always
- Now
- Here
As you see in the above questions there are more than one correct answer. Therefore, we use “are” after “the following”.
As I mentioned earlier, “which of the following are” can also be used when there are no right or wrong answers, but we just want to know the preferences of the reader.
For example, many psychological tests use this phrase to encourage the reader to choose one or more of the offered options.
Examples:
Which of the following hobbies do you like the most?
- Reading
- Partying
- Going out for a walk
- Listening to music
Which of the times of day are you most energetic?
- Morning
- Noon
- Evening
- Midnight
Which of the following ways do you prefer to spend your spare time?
- Reading a book
- Going for a walk
- Shopping
- Visiting a friend
Which of the following types of movies do you prefer to watch?
- Romantic
- Horror
- Fiction
- Science fiction
In all of the above questions the reader can choose one or more options and there is no limitation for them.
Can we use “which of the below” instead?
Well, the phrase “which of the below” is grammatically incorrect. That is because ‘below’ is an adverb.
However, there is one way to use ‘below’ in this phrase. We need to add a plural noun before ‘below’. Take a look at the following example to get this better.
You might also enjoy: I Have No Clue [Meaning + Examples]- All You Need To Know!
Example:
Which of the answers below is right?
Here, the plural noun ‘answers’ has come before ‘below’. So, this question is grammatically correct. Let’s look at a few other examples.
Examples:
- Which of the items below is a carpentry tool?
- Which of the sentences below is grammatically incorrect?
- Which of the options below suit your interest best?
- Which of the countries below is the greenest?
“Which of the following + plural noun”
We are free to use or not use a plural noun after “which of the following” because the meaning would not be lost. Look at the following examples to learn this better.
- Which of the following tools is a carpentry tool?
- Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
- Which of the following options suits your interest best?
- Which of the following countries is the greenest?
As you see, in all of these questions, if we omit the plural noun that has come after ‘the following’, nothing happens to the meaning.
That is because ‘the following’ by itself conveys the meaning of plurality. It shows that next comes a list of options.
Synonyms for “which of the following”
So, let’s learn some other phrases you can use instead of “which of the following”.
- Which of the (plural noun) below
- Which of these (plural noun, e.g., options/ items)
- Which one
- Which answer
- How many of these (plural noun)
- How many of the following (plural noun)
- Can you name the
- Are there any here that
Tips For Proper Usage of “Which of the Following”
When creating your own multiple-choice questions, you need to have in mind a few simple but important notes. Here are some tips for using the phrase “Which of the following?” correctly.
1. Make a comprehensive list of options that includes all possible answers to the question.
2. Be careful to list options that are mutually exclusive – that is, that only one of the options can be chosen. Of course, this tip is applicable when you are creating questions that ask the reader to choose only one answer.
3. Create the question in a way that the respondent can provide an informed answer.
4. Use clear and concise language when providing the list of options.
5. Avoid using slang or jargon in the question and the list of options.
You might also enjoy: Month;s or Months; – Differences + Examples + Table [2024 Update]
Concluding note
So, today I tried to teach you all you need to know about ‘which of the following”. I told you about its meaning and usage.
I then explained to you the difference between “which of the following” and “which of the followings”.
As I explained in detail, the second phrase with “followings” is grammatically incorrect. We also learnt the difference between “which of the following is” and “which of the following are”.
We learnt that both of these phrases are correct to use but their usage is different according to the purpose of the question. Following these, I talked about the phrase “which of the below” and why it is grammatically incorrect.
I also told you about the correct way to use this phrase instead of “which of the following”.
Next, I talked about using a plural noun after “which of the following” and its grammatical point. In the end, I provided a list of synonyms for “which of the following”.
Now that you learned everything about this subject, go on to make your own multiple-choice questions and lists of answers.
I’m sure you are now ready to do this. Make sure to contact me here on this page to ask your questions. I will be ready to answer and guide you. Visit my page for more interesting English lessons!
Hi, welcome to my blog! My name is Omid and I am thrilled to have you here! I am an English language teacher with 12 years of experience and hold multiple international certifications (TESOL, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CELTA). Additionally, I hold a PhD in Applied Linguistics with a specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), which fuels my passion for teaching English and assisting others in mastering the language. To me, nothing is more rewarding than helping individuals enhance their English language abilities through various methods. So, let’s embark on this journey of learning English together.
