follow
follow — verb
- followpresent simple I / you / we / they
- followshe / she / it
- followedpast simple
- following-ing form
1. to walk, drive, or travel behind a person, animal, or vehicle because you want t
to walk, drive, or travel behind a person, animal, or vehicle because you want to reach the same place they are going to
Élise followed the tour guide through the narrow streets of the old town.
follow + person as object
A stray dog followed the children all the way to the school gate.
The police car followed the blue van for several minutes before turning on its siren.
follow + vehicle as object
A black cat followed Shanti to the bus stop every morning without fail.
- follow someone home
- follow a car / vehicle
- follow a trail
- lead
to go in front so that others come behind
Grammar Patterns
follow + noun phrase (person / vehicle / animal)
Usage Note
This sense focuses on physical movement behind a moving target. It differs from sense 4 (IMITATE), which uses 'follow' in a non-physical way to mean copying someone's behaviour or choices.
Common Mistakes
2. to keep moving on a road, path, or waterway, letting it guide you forward as you
to keep moving on a road, path, or waterway, letting it guide you forward as you travel
Follow this road for two kilometres, and you will see the library on your left.
imperative form with road as object
The hiking trail follows the river for most of its length through the forest.
Apinya followed the signs to the train station and arrived just before the doors closed.
follow + sign as object for directions
Owen followed the winding path through the bamboo forest until he reached a small clearing.
- follow the road
- follow a path
- follow the river
- follow the signs
- follow a trail
Grammar Patterns
follow + road / path / river / trail / sign
Usage Note
The object is always a fixed route or directional marker — a road, path, river, line, or sign — not a person or moving thing.
3. in card games, when another player leads a round by putting a card on the table,
in card games, when another player leads a round by putting a card on the table, to put down a card that shares the suit symbol of that lead card
When the first player puts down a heart, everyone else must follow suit.
fixed phrase 'follow suit'
Ziad had no spades left and could not follow the king of spades.
In bridge, a player who cannot follow suit may play a trump card instead.
Rodrigo played a diamond, and each player at the table had to follow with one.
- follow suit
- cannot follow
Grammar Patterns
follow suit
follow + noun (card value or suit)
cannot follow
Usage Note
The fixed phrase 'follow suit' is also used outside card games as an idiom meaning 'do the same thing as someone else' — see sense 4 for that meaning.
4. to copy what another person does by taking them as a model for your own behaviou
to copy what another person does by taking them as a model for your own behaviour, career, or choices
Younger children often follow the example set by their older siblings.
follow + example (collocation)
After the bakery became popular, nearby shops followed its lead and started selling sourdough bread.
Femi decided to follow his mother into nursing and enrolled at the local college.
follow + person + into + profession
The younger designers followed the creative director's approach and won several industry awards.
- follow an example
- follow someone's lead
- follow someone's advice
- follow a trend
- reject
to refuse to accept someone's way of doing things
Grammar Patterns
follow + example / lead / advice
follow + person + into + profession/activity
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (GO AFTER): this sense has no physical movement — you can 'follow someone's example' without moving anywhere near them.
Common Mistakes
5. to come or happen after something else in time, order, or a sequence of events
to come or happen after something else in time, order, or a sequence of events
A long, uncomfortable silence followed her unexpected announcement about leaving the company.
The main course was followed by a delicious chocolate dessert.
passive: be followed by
Spring follows winter, but this year the cold weather lasted well into April.
A loud round of applause followed the president's farewell speech at the company dinner.
- follow an event
- be followed by
- as follows
- come after
less formal, used in everyday conversation
- succeed
formal; often used for someone taking over a position or role
- ensue
formal; suggests something happens as a direct result
- precede
to come before something else in time or order
Grammar Patterns
follow + noun phrase (event / action)
be followed by + noun
as follows
what follows
Usage Note
In the fixed phrase 'as follows' (sense 6), 'follow' is used to introduce a list. That is a separate usage with a distinct grammatical structure.
Common Mistakes
6. used to introduce the items in a list or the next part of a piece of writing, es
used to introduce the items in a list or the next part of a piece of writing, especially in formal or written English
The competition rules are as follows: no phones, notes, or talking to other candidates.
fixed phrase 'as follows' before a list
Please read the following instructions carefully before you begin the test.
adjective use: 'the following + noun'
The following students should report to the main office: Gabriel, Jessica, and Lucas.
The meeting topics are as follows: sales targets, staff changes, and the new marketing plan.
- as follows
- the following
- below
used in writing to refer to later text, e.g. 'see below'
Grammar Patterns
as follows + colon + list
the following + noun
Usage Note
This sense only occurs in the fixed expressions 'as follows' and 'the following'. You cannot replace 'follows' with 'comes after' or any synonym in these phrases.
Common Mistakes
7. to do what a person, rule, law, or set of instructions tells you to do
to do what a person, rule, law, or set of instructions tells you to do
All staff must follow the safety procedures when operating heavy machinery.
collocation: follow procedures / rules / guidelines
Adina followed her doctor's advice and started walking for thirty minutes each day.
collocation: follow advice / instructions / orders
Drivers who fail to follow traffic laws risk losing their licence.
The camp leader told the children to follow every safety rule without exception.
- follow rules
- follow instructions
- follow advice
- follow guidelines
- follow orders
- follow the law
Grammar Patterns
follow + noun phrase (rule / advice / instruction)
Usage Note
Frequently used with nouns such as rule(s), law(s), procedure(s), advice, instruction(s), order(s), or guideline(s). The object specifies what is being obeyed.
Common Mistakes
8. to take a specific path of development or to carry out a sequence of actions acc
to take a specific path of development or to carry out a sequence of actions according to a given plan or method
The negotiations followed a familiar pattern, with each side refusing to compromise at first.
follow + pattern / course / route
The novel follows the life of a young woman who moves from Kenya to Canada.
follow + someone's life / career / journey
João followed a strict training schedule for six months before the marathon.
collocation: follow a plan / schedule / method
Christopher followed the recipe step by step and the cake turned out perfectly.
- follow a pattern
- follow a course
- follow a plan
- follow a schedule
- follow a method
Grammar Patterns
follow + noun phrase (pattern / course / plan)
S + follow (intransitive)
Usage Note
When transitive, the object is typically an abstract noun describing a sequence or method (pattern, course, plan, schedule). When intransitive, the subject is usually the event or story itself ('the argument followed from the evidence').
9. to pay close attention to something as it changes or develops over time, such as
to pay close attention to something as it changes or develops over time, such as news, a sport, or someone's career
Devika has been following the election results since the polls opened this morning.
follow + news / results / events
Millions of fans around the world follow their favourite football teams week after week.
The research team is following the patient's progress very carefully.
follow + progress / development
Sora follows several technology blogs to stay informed about the latest gadgets.
- follow the news
- follow a team
- follow a career
- follow a story
- follow progress
- follow developments
- monitor
more formal; suggests systematic and careful observation
- track
emphasises recording changes or movements over time
- keep up with
more informal; similar meaning but phrasal
- ignore
to deliberately pay no attention
Grammar Patterns
follow + noun phrase (news / events / career / sport)
Usage Note
Commonly used with topics that unfold over time: sports, politics, scientific research, entertainment. The focus is on staying updated rather than just watching once.
Common Mistakes
10. to come about as a necessary outcome of an earlier event, fact, or action
to come about as a necessary outcome of an earlier event, fact, or action
If the factory ignores the warning, serious legal problems will follow.
intransitive: consequences / problems follow
Liam left the milk out of the fridge, and by morning a sour smell followed.
intransitive: result follows from action
A heavy meal followed by a long walk is not kind to your digestion.
passive: be followed by [event]
The ceasefire was followed by several weeks of peace in the region.
- it follows that
- as follows
- be followed by
- cause
to make something happen rather than happen as a result
Grammar Patterns
it follows that…
A follows from B
B is followed by A
Usage Note
Often used in formal or logical contexts with 'it follows that…' to introduce a conclusion. The passive construction 'be followed by' indicates sequence and consequence simultaneously.
Common Mistakes
11. to understand what someone is saying or explaining as they speak or present it
to understand what someone is saying or explaining as they speak or present it
The lecture was so complex that only a few students could follow the professor's reasoning.
can/could follow + argument / reasoning
Élise asked the speaker to slow down because she could not follow his French.
follow + language / accent
I think I follow your logic, but could you explain the last step again?
informal: follow + logic / point
The instructions were written simply so that everyone could follow them easily.
- follow an argument
- follow a conversation
- follow instructions
- follow the plot
- can't follow
- understand
broader in meaning; 'follow' implies understanding something as it unfolds
- grasp
suggests fully understanding something that may be complex
- comprehend
more formal; focuses on the mental process of understanding
- get lost
informal phrasal verb meaning to fail to follow
- misunderstand
to understand incorrectly
Grammar Patterns
can/could follow + noun phrase (argument / explanation / language)
Usage Note
Commonly used with modals can/could, especially in questions or negative statements ('I can't follow you'). The object is typically an explanation, argument, language, or line of thought.
Common Mistakes
12. to look at written words or music symbols while someone speaks, sings, or perfor
to look at written words or music symbols while someone speaks, sings, or performs, keeping your place as they go along
The choir members followed the sheet music while the conductor led them through the piece.
follow + sheet music / score
Xiu followed the lyrics on her phone while the band played the new song.
follow + lyrics / words of a song
The children followed the story in their books as the teacher read it aloud.
follow along with text while listening
Hannah followed the English subtitles while watching the Korean drama.
- follow the lyrics
- follow the score
- follow the text
- follow the music
- read along
phrasal verb with the same meaning; more informal
Grammar Patterns
follow + noun phrase (lyrics / score / text)
Usage Note
Often used in classroom or performance settings where the audience reads along with spoken or musical content. The object is typically a written form: lyrics, score, sheet music, or printed text.
13. to press a button on a social-networking site or app so that the content posted
to press a button on a social-networking site or app so that the content posted by a particular person or organisation appears in your feed on a regular basis
Tendai follows her favourite Taiwanese singer on Instagram so she never misses a new photo.
follow + person + on + platform name
Ada decided to follow the cooking channel after watching their first video.
More than ten thousand people follow the mayor's account for local news updates.
number + subject + follow + account for + purpose
Karim started following the university's official page to get scholarship announcements.
start + gerund + follow + page for + purpose
If you follow a brand on social media, their posts show up in your newsfeed every day.
conditional: if + follow + brand, result clause
- follow + person/account/brand/organisation
- follow + on + [platform name]
- follow + for + [reason/purpose]
- subscribe to
more formal; often used for YouTube channels or newsletters rather than individual social-media accounts
- unfollow
the direct opposite action on the same platform
Grammar Patterns
follow + person/organisation/account
Usage Note
Common on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok. The person being followed does not need to follow you back.
Common Mistakes
follow about
phrasal verbTo keep moving close behind someone, often in an annoying way.
The little puppy followed its owner about all day long.
Why do you follow me about everywhere I go?
follow around
phrasal verbTo go wherever someone goes, often persistently or annoyingly.
The reporter followed the celebrity around for the whole week.
My little sister always follows me around when I have friends over.
follow on
phrasal verbTo come or happen after something else, especially as a logical next step.
The second part of the movie follows on from the first.
After the introduction, the main discussion will follow on.
follow on from
phrasal verbTo be the next logical step after something else; to result from.
The new policy follows on from last year's successful trial.
His promotion followed on from his excellent performance.
follow through
phrasal verbTo complete an action or continue something until it is finished.
She promised to help and she followed through on her word.
If you start a project, you must follow through to the end.
follow up
phrasal verbTo take further action after something, often to check or add to previous work.
The doctor will follow up with you after the test results come in.
We need to follow up on the client's complaint immediately.
To choose the same career or way of life as a family member or someone you admire.
Mia decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a doctor.
Did you follow in your brother's footsteps when you joined the army?
follow your nose
idiomTo go straight ahead or in the direction your nose points, especially when following a smell.
The bakery is just around the corner; follow your nose and you'll find it.
When you smell the coffee, just follow your nose to the kitchen.
follow suit
idiomTo play a card of the same suit as the one that was just played.
In the card game, you must follow suit if you have a matching card.
When the lead player played a heart, everyone else had to follow suit.
A person or performance that is so excellent that it will be very difficult for the next person or thing to be as good.
The retiring CEO was a hard act to follow for the new manager.
Her award-winning speech was a tough act to follow for the next speaker.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All five words describe going after someone or something, but they differ in intent and manner. 'Follow' is neutral and general — you simply go behind without necessarily wanting to catch or harm (e.g., 'Élise followed the tour guide'). 'Chase' implies speed and a clear intention to catch, often with urgency or excitement. 'Pursue' is more formal and suggests sustained, determined effort, common in police or career contexts. 'Track' focuses on following evidence, signs, or digital data rather than a moving person. 'Trail' suggests following at a distance, often secretly. In everyday contexts, 'follow' is safest: 'The children followed their mother into the shop' (natural). 'The children chased their mother into the shop' would imply a game of tag or misbehaviour.
Common collocations
Phrases
- as follows
- follow suit
- follow through
- follow up
Etymology
The verb 'follow' comes from Old English 'folgian', which meant to go behind someone, to obey, or to pursue. It is related to Old Saxon 'folgon' and Old High German 'folgēn'. By the Middle English period, the spelling shifted to 'folwen', and eventually settled into the modern form 'follow' around the 16th century. The core sense of going behind has remained remarkably stable, while newer senses (social-media following, understanding a line of thought) developed through metaphor.
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1 Noun