Following suit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Following suit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is doing the same thing as someone else, often in a context of imitation or conformity. Example: "After seeing her friends start their own businesses, she decided to follow suit and launch her own startup."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Conservatives appear to be following suit.

The Guardian - Opinion

I suspect competitors will be following suit.

TechCrunch

Others are following suit.

Forbes

Detroit is following suit.

Forbes

America is following suit.

The Economist

Others should consider following suit.

The New York Times

More hotels are following suit.

The New York Times - Travel

Indeed, others are following suit.

The New York Times

Businessmen are following suit.

The Guardian - Travel

And many other manufacturers are following suit.

The New York Times

Many other countries are considering following suit.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "following suit" when you want to emphasize that a subsequent action is directly influenced by a preceding one. This suggests a cause-and-effect relationship or a deliberate act of imitation.

Common error

Avoid using "following suit" when simply describing parallel actions that are not directly influenced by each other. The phrase implies a degree of intentional copying or adherence to a trend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following suit" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, often indicating that someone or something is imitating or acting in a similar manner to another. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "following suit" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of imitating or conforming to a previous action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media, reflecting its role in describing trends and imitative behaviors across various sectors. While versatile, it's important to use it when there's a clear connection between the actions being described, and to avoid implying imitation where it doesn't exist. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Following the example

Highlights the act of using a specific instance as a guide.

Doing the same

A more general phrase indicating the same action is being performed, without necessarily implying imitation.

Taking a similar approach

Focuses on the method or strategy being adopted, rather than direct replication.

Mirroring

Conveys a close resemblance or reflection of someone else's actions or behavior.

Emulating

Implies admiration and a conscious effort to imitate a particular model or example.

Conforming to

Stresses compliance with established norms or expectations.

Adopting the same strategy

Emphasizes a conscious decision to use the same plan or method.

Copying

Suggests a direct and often unoriginal replication of something.

Keeping pace

Implies an effort to maintain a similar level or standard.

Going along with

Indicates agreement and participation in a collective action or trend.

FAQs

How can I use "following suit" in a sentence?

You can use "following suit" to describe actions that imitate or are influenced by a previous action. For example: "After Apple released its new phone, other companies began "following suit"."

What is a simple way to rephrase "following suit"?

Alternatives to "following suit" include "doing the same", "taking a similar approach", or "emulating". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "copying" and "following suit"?

"Following suit" implies a degree of intentional imitation, often in response to a trend or example. "Copying" can be more direct and may not necessarily imply the same level of influence or awareness.

Is "following suite" a correct alternative to "following suit"?

No, "following suite" is incorrect. The correct phrase is ""following suit"", where "suit" refers to a set of actions or behaviors.