blindly following

USAGE SUMMARY

"blindly following" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to follow something or someone without thinking or questioning. Example: She was blindly following her friends' advice, even though it went against her own beliefs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We aren't blindly following one plan".

The New York Times

Patriotism has nothing to do with blindly following leaders.

The New York Times - Magazine

Wars should be principled, but that doesn't mean blindly following every principle into battle.

The New York Times

Blindly following troika policies will become harder for Passos Coelho's government.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Paterson should be asking what works rather than blindly following agribusiness propaganda.

The Guardian

Perhaps it is simply a matter of conductors' blindly following a false tradition.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Sharif was echoing a popular sentiment here among many Pakistanis who view Mr. Musharraf as blindly following America's orders.

The New York Times

By blindly following Bush, he had been guilty of ruining a country, shattering trust and trashing his own reputation.

The Guardian

Gurpreet warned against people blindly following the example of Qin and Cerullo with making their own proposals a public spectacle.

The Guardian - Sport

Pulling something off the shelf/your computer and blindly following the writing within may actually cause harm to people.

The Guardian

And there is a chapter cautioning about believing "experts" and another about not blindly following market gurus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "blindly following" in situations where adherence to guidelines or instructions is necessary for safety or compliance; instead, consider phrases that emphasize the importance of following procedures.

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone "blindly follows" out of ignorance or lack of intelligence. Consider that there may be other factors, such as fear of authority or social pressure, influencing their behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blindly following" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to describe an action performed without critical thinking or independent judgment. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Huffington Post

14%

The Guardian

10%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "blindly following" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of following someone or something without critical thought or questioning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English. Its primary function is to express disapproval or concern regarding actions taken without sufficient discernment. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, where it is used to critique behaviors ranging from political allegiance to consumer trends. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it often carries a negative connotation, highlighting potential risks or negative consequences. When using "blindly following", it's important to ensure the context clearly conveys the lack of critical thinking and to avoid misattributing motivations without considering external factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncritically adhering

Focuses on the lack of critical evaluation in the act of following.

unquestioningly obeying

Highlights the absence of questioning or dissent when following.

slavishly adhering

Emphasizes the servile nature of following without independent thought.

mindlessly imitating

Stresses the lack of conscious thought in the act of following.

passively accepting

Underscores the lack of active engagement or critical assessment.

submissively complying

Highlights the compliant nature of following without resistance.

naively trusting

Emphasizes the innocence or lack of awareness in the act of following.

uncritically adopting

Focuses on the lack of critical evaluation when embracing a belief or practice.

automatically conforming

Highlights the automatic and unthinking nature of following.

rote learning

Focuses on memorization and repetition without understanding or critical thinking.

FAQs

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

You can use "blindly following" to describe someone who is following a person, organization, or trend without questioning it. For example, "The danger lies in "blindly following" the advice of so-called experts without doing your own research."

What are some alternatives to "blindly following"?

Alternatives to "blindly following" include "uncritically adhering", "unquestioningly obeying", and "slavishly adhering". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to "blindly follow"?

Yes, the phrase "blindly following" typically carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of critical thought and potential for harm. If the action of following is generally positive, consider using a more neutral term like "adhering to" or "supporting."

What's the difference between "blindly following" and "faithfully following"?

"Blindly following" implies a lack of critical thought and can lead to negative consequences, whereas "faithfully following" suggests loyalty and dedication, often with a positive or neutral connotation. The key difference is the presence or absence of critical evaluation.