next year/the following year

[worcester]

Hi everyone,
Could you please let me know if both "next" and "the following" are possible in theese sentences. To be honest I feel like something is wrong with sentence N2. I may be wrong but I would use "next" to talk about something from the point of view in the present period of time.

1. I finished school in 1994 and the following year I joined the army.
2. I finished school in 1994 and next year I joined the army.

Thank you.

 

[Barb_D]

Both are fine.

 

[5jj]

I would say 'the next year' in #2, but I think it's OK without 'the'. For me, 'next year' (no article) is the one after this current year. I am not sure whether that's BrE or just personal.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would say 'the next year' in #2, but I think it's OK without 'the'. For me, 'next year' (no article) is the one after this current year. I am not sure whether that's BrE or just personal.

I agree with you. For me, "the" is needed in that sentence. I think Barb would agree.

 

[Barb_D]

I agree too. I expected to see the "the" so I saw it, even though it wasn't there. No difference between "the following year" and "the next year."

 

[MikeNewYork]

I agree too. I expected to see the "the" so I saw it, even though it wasn't there. No difference between "the following year" and "the next year."

I do the same thing sometimes. The brain often fills in what is expected even if it isn't there.