be followed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be followed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something should come after or adhere to a certain guideline or sequence. Example: "All safety protocols must be followed to ensure a safe working environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He will be followed".

The New York Times

Whose plan will be followed?

Independent

What rules should be followed?

Independent

He can be followed at keyvan9.

The New York Times

He can be followed on Twitter (@Rohan_NU).

The New York Times

Everything he says will be followed obsessively.

The New York Times - Sports

He can be followed on Twitter: @stephenjnesbitt.

The New York Times

Words must be followed by deeds.

The New York Times

He can be followed on Twitter.

The New York Times

Complaints need to be followed up seriously.

The Economist

That will be followed by Question Time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be followed", ensure the context clearly establishes the sequence or order of events. For example, "The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session."

Common error

Avoid using "be followed" with a singular subject when a plural subject is required. For example, instead of "The step be followed by another step", use "The step should be followed by another step" or "The steps should be followed by other steps."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be followed" functions primarily as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject receives an action of being succeeded or comes after another. It is widely used as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be followed" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate sequence, consequence, or adherence. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is very common across diverse contexts like news, science, and formal communications. While its register is generally neutral, tending toward formal writing, it effectively conveys order and succession. When writing, ensure correct subject-verb agreement, especially when dealing with plural subjects. Considering phrases like "be succeeded by" or "be complied with" can add nuance to your writing depending on the specific relationship you aim to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be succeeded by

Implies a chronological order where one thing comes after another, similar to "be followed" but focuses on the order.

be accompanied by

Suggests that something happens together or at the same time as something else, subtly different from "be followed" which focuses on sequence.

be ensued by

Indicates that something happens as a result of something else, implying a cause-and-effect relationship, unlike the neutral sequencing of "be followed".

be complied with

Highlights adherence to rules or standards, adding a layer of obligation that is not necessarily present in "be followed".

be obeyed by

Similar to "be complied with", this emphasizes the act of obedience or adherence to a command or instruction.

be heeded by

Indicates that advice or warnings are listened to and acted upon. Changes the nuance from sequence to attention and action.

be respected by

Suggests that something is regarded with esteem and treated accordingly, implying a higher level of regard than simply following.

be acted upon

Focuses on the action taken as a result of something, rather than the sequence of events.

be put into effect

Implies the implementation of a plan or decision, shifting the emphasis from sequence to enforcement.

be given effect

Similar to 'be put into effect', this phrase focuses on the action of making something operational or valid.

FAQs

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

You can use "be followed" to indicate a sequence of actions or events. For example, "The introduction will "be followed" by the main presentation."

What's a good alternative to "be followed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be succeeded by", "be accompanied by", or "be ensued by", depending on the desired nuance.

Which is correct: "is followed by" or "are followed by"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is followed by" for singular subjects and "are followed by" for plural subjects. For example, "The step is followed by another step" and "The steps are followed by other steps."

What does it mean when something "will be followed by" something else?

It means that the first thing will happen, and then the second thing will happen after it in a sequence. For instance, "The conference "will be followed" by a networking event" indicates the networking event will occur after the conference concludes.