following

Compared meaning: coming right after in order or time (adjective).

比较义项：在顺序或时间上紧接在后面／连续不断的（形容词）。

• next

  Next refers to the single item immediately after the current reference point (now, or the one just mentioned); used with a singular noun, often with time expressions.

  next表示紧跟在当前参照点（现在，或刚提到的那个）之后的那一个，通常用单数名词，常与表示时间的词搭配。

  The next bus arrives in about ten minutes.

  下一班公交车大约十分钟后到达。

• following 本词

  Following is more formal and typically introduces something about to be presented, such as a list or instructions, rather than simply the nearest one in time.

  following语气更正式，通常用来引出即将呈现的内容，比如列表或说明，而不只是表示时间上最近的下一个。

  Please read the following instructions before starting the test.

  请在开始测试前阅读下列说明。

• consecutive

  Consecutive describes two or more items occurring one after another with no gap between them; always used with a plural noun, often a number.

  consecutive描述两个或更多事物毫无间断地依次发生，总是与复数名词搭配，常带数字，强调它们之间没有间隔。

  He worked six consecutive days without taking a single break.

  他连续工作了六天，一天都没有休息。

Next, following, and consecutive can mean coming right after in order. Next is the single item right after now. Following is more formal, often introducing what comes next. Consecutive means things happening one after another, with no gap, always plural. Following's noun sense isn't compared.

这三个词都能表示“顺序上紧接在后面”，但next强调紧跟在参照点（现在或刚提到的那个）之后的单独一个，following语气更正式，常用来引出即将呈现的内容，consecutive则强调多个事物毫无间断地依次发生，必须用复数。这里不比较following作名词表示“追随者、支持者”的用法。