directly follow

USAGE SUMMARY

'directly follow' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is occurring directly after something else, without any delay or interruption. For example, "The instructions said to directly follow the path down the hill."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The following two coupled coincidence theorems directly follow from Theorem 4.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

It falls to the leaders who will directly follow Obama, who he could have called upon in that moment to act responsibly and virtuously, or face the consequences.

The Washington Post

In addition, our methods more directly follow the motivation and theory of classical (deterministic) optimization which is perhaps the most important area of physical and engineering science.

Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications

Although there is not an article to directly follow up with this, there are many similar articles about grazing and forage.

Cornell University

In this work, the definition of the filter kernel is generalized to include non-Gaussian filters that can directly follow more realistic energy spectra such as the ones developed by Liepmann and von Kármán.

Journal of Computational Physics

That means these components can't directly follow the spectacular successes of the optical fiber systems that run the Internet, cautions Lionel Kimerling, the Thomas Lord Professor in Materials Science and Engineering and director of the MIT Microphotonics Center.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

To learn more about how FXIIIa selects its targets, a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS -based assay was developed that could directly follow the consuMS -based assaytamine-containing substrate and the formation of a cross-linked product wash glycine ethylester.

Analytical Biochemistry

The conclusions directly follow from Theorems 3.4 and 3.6.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Then the conclusions directly follow from Theorem 3.1.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

For example, deterministic tractography methods directly follow the diffusion pathways.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

So the conclusions directly follow from Theorem 3.3.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directly follow" to clearly indicate that one action or event happens immediately after another, without any intervening steps or delays. This ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "directly follow" when the sequence isn't immediate or has intervening steps. Using it loosely can weaken the impact of the intended sequence and cause confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly follow" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier combined with a verb. It specifies how something follows, indicating an immediate and unbroken sequence. This is validated by the Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

23%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "directly follow" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to denote immediate succession or consequence. It acts as an adverbial modifier, highlighting the temporal proximity and often the causal link between events. Its register is fairly neutral, which makes it appropriate for a range of writing styles, from academic to journalistic. While predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, as Ludwig's examples show, it serves to emphasize the immediacy of one thing happening after another. When using "directly follow", ensure a genuine sense of immediacy and avoid its application to loosely connected sequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately succeed

Emphasizes the temporal proximity between two events, focusing on the immediate succession.

ensue without delay

Highlights the lack of delay between the initial action and the subsequent event.

come on the heels of

Suggests a close following, almost chasing, relationship between two events.

occur sequentially

Focuses on the ordered sequence of events, one after the other.

follow in the wake of

Implies that the second event is a consequence or result of the first.

directly result from

Focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship between two events, indicating a direct consequence.

be the immediate consequence of

Highlights the cause and effect aspect and makes it explicit that there is no delay.

arise promptly after

Emphasizes that the second event originates or becomes apparent soon after the first.

to tread closely behind

Focuses on the proximity and imitation aspects of following.

stem directly from

Suggests origination, and causal and temporal succession.

FAQs

How can I use "directly follow" in a sentence?

Use "directly follow" to show that something happens immediately after something else. For example, "The second act should "directly follow" the first to maintain audience engagement."

What are some alternatives to "directly follow"?

Alternatives include "immediately succeed", "ensue without delay", or "come on the heels of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "directly follow" or "follow directly"?

"Directly follow" is more common and emphasizes the immediate sequence. "Follow directly" is also correct, but it places more emphasis on the act of following rather than the timing. The choice depends on the specific context and emphasis you wish to make.

What does it mean when something "directly follows" something else?

It means that the second thing happens immediately and as a direct consequence of the first thing. There's no delay or intervening action.