did not follow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not follow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone did not adhere to instructions, guidelines, or a sequence of events. Example: "Despite the clear instructions, she did not follow the steps outlined in the manual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Advice Highsmith did not follow.

The New Yorker

They did not follow through.

The New York Times

Louise did not follow him.

The New Yorker

Uber did not follow suit.

The New York Times - Tech

The crowd did not follow.

The New York Times - Arts

The polls did not follow suit, though.

The New Yorker

Fortunately, the car did not follow.

The New York Times

Shell apparently did not follow these.

The Economist

Despite this provocation, war did not follow.

The New York Times - Books

Some states did not follow the pattern.

The New York Times

MI5 did not follow this lead.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "disregarded" or "ignored" suggest intent, while "failed to comply" emphasizes a lack of adherence to requirements.

Common error

Avoid using "did not follow" without clearly stating what was not followed. For example, instead of saying "He did not follow", specify "He did not follow the instructions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not follow" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of adherence, compliance, or obedience to a set of rules, instructions, or guidelines. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did not follow" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to express a lack of adherence to instructions, rules, or expected behavior. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in a wide array of writing situations. It's frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes it clear what was not followed. Consider alternatives like "failed to comply" or "disregarded" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. While widely accepted, clarity and context are key to its effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to comply with

Emphasizes a failure to meet a requirement or standard.

did not adhere to

Formal way of saying that someone didn't stick to the rules.

disregarded

Highlights a deliberate act of ignoring something.

ignored

Focuses on a lack of attention or consideration.

bypassed

Suggests circumventing or avoiding something.

deviated from

Implies a departure from a set path or plan.

did not observe

Emphasizes the lack of following a practice or custom.

neglected to pursue

Focuses on the omission of something important.

refrained from pursuing

Emphasizes conscious decision not to take action.

opted out of

Indicates an active decision to not participate.

FAQs

How can I use "did not follow" in a sentence?

You can use "did not follow" to indicate that someone failed to adhere to instructions, guidelines, or a set path. For example: "The student "did not follow the instructions" carefully".

What can I say instead of "did not follow"?

Alternatives include "failed to comply", "ignored", or "deviated from", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "did not follow" or "failed to follow"?

Both "did not follow" and "failed to follow" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. However, "failed to follow" might slightly emphasize a lack of success or ability to follow, while "did not follow" is a more neutral statement of non-compliance.

What's the difference between "did not follow" and "disregarded"?

"Did not follow" is a general term for not adhering to something. "Disregarded", on the other hand, implies a conscious decision to ignore or reject something. For example, someone might "did not follow" the rules unintentionally, but they "disregarded" them deliberately.