are following

USAGE SUMMARY

"are following" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used in the present continuous tense to show ongoing action. Example: The students are following the teacher's instructions carefully.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other cities are following.

The Economist

Others are following suit.

Forbes

Others are following.

The New York Times

Other banks are following.

The Economist

Businessmen are following suit.

The Guardian - Travel

Some are following already.

The New York Times

The vultures are following Jean.

The New Yorker

More hotels are following suit.

The New York Times - Travel

"We are following the law".

The New Yorker

So we are following them".

The New York Times

Indeed, others are following suit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are following", ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what is performing the action of following. For example, "Researchers are following the progress of the experiment".

Common error

Avoid using "are following" when a simple past tense is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "They are following the instructions yesterday", use "They followed the instructions yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are following" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action. This construction combines the auxiliary verb "are" with the present participle "following", denoting that the action is currently in progress, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are following" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that signifies an ongoing action of tracking, observing, or adhering. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, make it a reliable choice for expressing present continuous actions. While alternatives like "are observing" or "are tracking" may offer nuanced meanings, "are following" remains a straightforward and effective option for many situations. Remember to ensure the subject is clearly defined and to avoid using it inappropriately in place of the simple past tense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are tracking

"Tracking" emphasizes the process of following the movement or progress of something.

are observing

This alternative replaces "following" with "observing", implying a more passive form of tracking.

are watching

"Watching" is a general term for observing something, often without a specific action implied.

are monitoring

Using "monitoring" suggests a more active and sustained observation of something.

are pursuing

"Pursuing" implies actively chasing or striving towards a goal or objective.

are keeping up with

This phrase means staying informed about the latest developments or trends.

are heeding

"Heeding" implies paying attention to and obeying instructions or advice.

are investigating

This suggests a systematic examination or inquiry into something.

are adhering to

This phrase suggests compliance with rules, guidelines, or standards.

are complying with

Similar to "adhering to", this emphasizes conforming to regulations or requirements.

FAQs

How to use "are following" in a sentence?

"Are following" is used to describe an ongoing action of tracking or adhering to something. For example, "The students are following the teacher's instructions" or "The detectives are following the leads in the case".

What can I say instead of "are following"?

You can use alternatives like "are observing", "are tracking", or "are monitoring" depending on the context.

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

"Are following" indicates an active, ongoing action, while "are followed" suggests a passive state of being tracked by others. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning. For example, "The tourists are following the guide" vs. "The celebrity's movements are followed by paparazzi".

What's the difference between "are following" and "have followed"?

"Are following" describes a continuous action in the present, while "have followed" indicates a completed action in the past that has relevance to the present. For example, "They are following the recipe now" vs. "They have followed the recipe for years".