be following

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be following" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are indicating that someone should continue to follow or adhere to something, often in a progressive or ongoing sense. Example: "You should be following the guidelines provided to ensure compliance with the regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

We'll be following him.

The New York Times

I'll be following along.

The New York Times

We'll be following the trial here.

The New Yorker

Pepsi would certainly be following a trend.

The Economist

Rebuilding is something we'll be following.

The New York Times

"I'll always be following in your footsteps".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Others are following.

The New York Times

Advertising is following eyeballs.

The Economist

Other cities are following.

The Economist

Others are following suit.

Forbes

Detroit is following suit.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be following" when indicating an ongoing or future action of observing or adhering to something. For example, "We will be following the developments closely."

Common error

Avoid using "be following" when a simple future tense ("will follow") or present continuous tense ("are following") is more appropriate. Ensure the context genuinely requires the continuous aspect of the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be following" primarily functions as a verb phrase, specifically a continuous aspect (present or future) using the auxiliary verb "be" and the present participle "following". As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be following" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to indicate an ongoing or future action of observing, tracking, or adhering to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to denote a continuous aspect, emphasizing the act of paying attention or staying informed. While it appears most frequently in News & Media sources, it is appropriate for neutral and professional contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the continuous tense is necessary and that a simpler tense isn't more appropriate. Remember to consider alternatives like "will follow" or "are following" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will follow

Indicates a future action of following, often implying certainty or intention.

are following

Implies a current and ongoing action of following, suitable when describing present behavior.

continue to follow

Emphasizes the continuation of a following action or guideline.

keep track of

Focuses on monitoring the progress or status of something.

stay informed about

Highlights the aspect of remaining updated on particular information.

monitor

Implies a careful and systematic observation.

keep up with

Suggests making an effort to stay current with developments.

observe

Focuses on watching closely and carefully.

track

Implies monitoring the movement or progress of someone or something.

heed

Emphasizes paying attention to advice or warnings.

FAQs

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

Use "be following" to express an ongoing action of observing or adhering to something, like in "We will "be following" the trial closely" or "You should "be following" the instructions carefully".

What can I say instead of "be following"?

You can use alternatives like "will follow", "are following", or "continue to follow" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am be following"?

No, "I am be following" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I will "be following"", which uses the auxiliary verb "will" to indicate future tense.

What is the difference between "be following" and "follow"?

"Follow" is a simple verb indicating the action of going or coming after someone or something. "Be following" indicates an ongoing or future action of observing or adhering to something, emphasizing the continuous aspect.