do not follow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not follow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to instruct someone not to adhere to a particular guideline, rule, or direction. Example: "In this case, please do not follow the standard procedure as we have a unique situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do not follow me".

The New York Times

Do not follow fashion.

The Guardian

Do not follow that path.

The Guardian - Money

"Criminals and madmen do not follow laws.

The New York Times

"We do not follow that revolution.

The Guardian

The soldiers do not follow us in.

Stanford University

Many people simply do not follow through.

The New York Times

"I do not follow orthodoxy," he said.

The Guardian

Where they lede, do not follow.

The New York Times

If people do not follow my instructions.

The Guardian - Travel

I do not follow contemporary politics.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone, clarify the reason for not following a standard procedure to avoid confusion. For example, "In this case, do not follow the standard procedure because we have a unique situation."

Common error

While "do not follow" is generally acceptable, overuse can sound repetitive. In formal writing, consider using synonyms like "refrain from", "avoid", or "diverge from" to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not follow" functions primarily as an imperative, instructing someone to avoid a specific course of action or instruction. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

21%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not follow" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to instruct someone to avoid a specific action or guideline. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. As demonstrated by numerous examples, its usage is very common and spans news, academic, and scientific domains. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more sophisticated alternatives in formal writing, like "refrain from following" or "avoid following". Remember to clarify the reason when providing this instruction to prevent confusion. When writing, be mindful of the potential for overuse, and explore synonyms to add variety to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from following

Emphasizes a deliberate act of holding oneself back from following.

avoid following

Highlights the action of steering clear of a particular path or instruction.

do not adhere to

Focuses on not sticking to a specific rule or guideline.

disregard

Implies ignoring or paying no attention to something.

do not comply with

Stresses the lack of conformity to a set standard or requirement.

don't go along with

Indicates disagreement or refusal to participate in something.

steer clear of

Suggests actively avoiding a certain person, place, or thing.

diverge from

Implies taking a different route or deviating from an established course.

eschew

A more formal way of saying to deliberately avoid something.

decline to follow

Formally express a refusal to follow.

FAQs

How to use "do not follow" in a sentence?

"Do not follow" is used to instruct someone not to adhere to a particular guideline, rule, or direction. For example, "Do not follow the instructions on the old manual; they are outdated."

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

You can use alternatives like "refrain from following", "avoid following", or "do not adhere to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "do not follow"?

"Do not follow" is suitable in situations where clear instructions are needed to prevent someone from taking an undesirable action. For instance, "Do not follow the marked trail; it leads to a dangerous area."

Is "do not follow" formal or informal?

"Do not follow" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives such as "decline to follow" or "eschew".