are followed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are followed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is being succeeded or accompanied by another action or event. Example: "The instructions are followed by a series of examples to clarify the process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The following procedures are followed in each of these scenarios.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

Leaders are followed.

The Guardian

We are followed.

The Guardian

Activists are followed and threatened.

The Economist

They are followed by E.M.T.s.

The New Yorker

They are followed by The Urban Visigoths.

The New Yorker

Amnesties are followed by waves of arrests.

The Economist

Who oversees that they are followed properly?

The New York Times

Sessions are followed by videos and homework.

The Guardian - Sport

These are followed by the percentage difference.

The Guardian

They are followed by legions of fans.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or procedures, use "are followed" to clearly indicate the order in which steps should be executed. For instance, "These steps are followed to ensure accurate results."

Common error

Avoid using "are followed" when an active construction is clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The rules are followed by the team", consider "The team follows the rules".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are followed" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes an action being done to a subject, indicating that the subject is acted upon or comes after something else. Ludwig AI indicates this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are followed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that conveys sequence, consequence, or adherence to a set of rules. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The phrase appears most often in scientific and news contexts, signifying its broad applicability. When writing, ensure that the passive voice is appropriate for the desired emphasis and consider alternative phrasings such as "are succeeded by" or "are accompanied by" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are accompanied by

Changes the verb to "accompanied", focusing on simultaneous occurrence rather than direct sequence.

are succeeded by

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the events, indicating one directly after the other.

are ensued by

A more formal alternative, highlighting that something happens as a consequence.

are subsequent to

A formal way of indicating that something occurs after a specific event or time.

are governed by

Shifts the meaning to indicate adherence to rules or principles, not temporal succession.

are consequent to

Highlights the causal relationship, suggesting that something is a direct result.

are preceded by

Expresses the inverse relationship, focusing on what comes before instead of after.

are resultant from

Implies causation, indicating that something is the effect of a prior action or event.

are in compliance with

Focuses on adherence to standards or regulations, changing the core meaning.

are under the control of

Shifts the meaning to indicate the control of something and is related to rules and laws.

FAQs

How can I use "are followed" in a sentence?

The phrase "are followed" is used to indicate that something happens after or as a consequence of something else. For example, "The instructions "are followed" to ensure the best results".

What can I say instead of "are followed"?

You can use alternatives like "are accompanied by", "are succeeded by", or "are governed by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are followed" or "is followed"?

"Are followed" is used with plural subjects, while "is followed" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The rules are followed" vs. "The rule is followed".

What is the difference between "are followed" and "are preceded by"?

"Are followed" indicates what comes after something, while "are preceded by" indicates what comes before it. They express opposite sequences.