following/ after

[mengta]

Following gradually declining to about 39 hours in 1970, the workweek in the United States has increased to the point that the average worker now puts in an estimated 164 extra hours of paid labor a year.

is it correct to use the "following" in the sentence?

thanks

[BobK]

Following gradually declining to about 39 hours in 1970, the workweek in the United States has increased to the point that the average worker now puts in an estimated 164 extra hours of paid labor a year.

is it correct to use the "following" in the sentence?

thanks

Acceptable, but not recommended; it makes the sentence hard to parse as you're listening - having the two -ings so close together. Better would be either 'After gradually declining...' or 'Following a gradual decline...'.

b

[MikeNewYork]

Acceptable, but not recommended; it makes the sentence hard to parse as you're listening - having the two -ings so close together. Better would be either 'After gradually declining...' or 'Following a gradual decline...'.

b

My thoughts exactly.