I know this is correct:
The next item is 3.
The following item is 4.
The following item is 5.
Call these three lines above variant № (1).
I know this is incorrect:
The next item is 3.
The next item is 4.
The next item is 5.
Call these three lines above variant № (2).
That is, in enumerating items, one variant is correct, the other is not.
I know this is correct:
Next year is 2023.
The following year is 2024.
The following year is 2025.
Call these three lines above variant № (3).
an example from a link:
Boss: Where are we at with long term planning?
Me: I would like to start planning for next year. (2023)
Boss: 2023? What about after that?
Me: No problem, I will also start planning for the next year too. (2024)
Therefore, I can add two more same lines here:
Boss: 2024? What about after that?
Me: No problem, I will also start planning for the next year too. (2025)
Hence, I can reduce all the lines to:
Next year is 2023.
The next year is 2024.
The next year is 2025.
Call these three lines above variant № (4).
Is (4) correct?
If the answer is "no", then why is it incorrect, whereas the example is correct?
If the answer is "yes", then why, with time, are both variants correct whereas, not with time, only one variant is correct?