dutifully follow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dutifully follow" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is obediently or responsibly adhering to instructions, rules, or expectations. Example: "The employees were expected to dutifully follow the company's policies to ensure a smooth workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The appeals courts, including the Ninth Circuit, "dutifully follow the existing Supreme Court law".

The New Yorker

Other autobiographies "patiently and dutifully follow a planned and undivergent course," he declares early on.

The New Yorker

As New Yorkers face the insult of paying permit fees to dutifully follow the law in renovating their historic properties, the strength of that law seems ever weaker.

The New York Times

What he did not want was a renovation that would dutifully follow the taste herd, which in recent years has leaned toward a doctrinaire worship of Modernism, particularly the midcentury variety.

The New York Times

People starting a business or looking for a job are often told to "network". They dutifully follow that advice, attending countless networking events and drinking many coffees — and yet accomplish nothing.

The Washington Post

The French entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre once tricked a line of caterpillars — who dutifully follow the pheromones in one another's silk — into forming a circular trail atop a ceramic palm vase.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Jab! Slip!" DiPietro dutifully followed.

The New York Times - Sports

Some dutifully followed the principals; others indulged in panning shots, closeups, and other filmic gestures.

The New Yorker

Then, as a new parent, I dutifully followed the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines — no TV until two.

The New Yorker

All dutifully followed along with their own cue cards, interjecting a line or two when necessary.

The New Yorker

Though she doesn't love him — or even particularly like him — Nora dutifully follows.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dutifully follow" when you want to emphasize both obedience and a sense of responsibility in adhering to rules, instructions, or guidelines.

Common error

Avoid using "dutifully follow" in very informal or casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for simpler alternatives like "just follow" or "do as told" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dutifully follow" functions as an adverb-verb construction, where the adverb "dutifully" modifies the verb "follow". Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, indicating it's a standard way to describe obedient adherence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dutifully follow" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that combines the adverb "dutifully" with the verb "follow" to convey obedience and a sense of responsibility in adhering to instructions or guidelines. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While versatile, it is most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as academic writings, suggesting a neutral to professional register. Alternatives like "obediently adhere to" or "faithfully comply with" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strictly adhere to

Replaces 'dutifully' with 'strictly' and 'follow' with 'adhere to', stressing the importance of strict compliance.

faithfully comply with

Substitutes 'dutifully' with 'faithfully' and 'follow' with 'comply with', highlighting loyalty and compliance.

obediently adhere to

Replaces 'dutifully' with 'obediently' and 'follow' with 'adhere to', focusing on obedience and strict adherence.

carefully observe

Substitutes 'dutifully' with 'carefully' and 'follow' with 'observe', highlighting the importance of careful observation.

conscientiously observe

Replaces 'dutifully' with 'conscientiously' and 'follow' with 'observe', emphasizing careful and diligent observation.

respectfully obey

Substitutes 'dutifully' with 'respectfully' and 'follow' with 'obey', emphasizing respect and obedience.

meticulously execute

Changes 'dutifully' to 'meticulously' and 'follow' to 'execute', highlighting precision and thoroughness in carrying out instructions.

scrupulously heed

Replaces 'dutifully' with 'scrupulously' and 'follow' with 'heed', focusing on careful attention and adherence.

diligently pursue

Changes 'dutifully' to 'diligently' and 'follow' to 'pursue', emphasizing persistent and careful pursuit of a goal or instruction.

responsibly undertake

Replaces 'dutifully' with 'responsibly' and 'follow' with 'undertake', emphasizing responsibility and commitment.

FAQs

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

You can use "dutifully follow" to describe someone obediently adhering to instructions. For example: "The employees were expected to "dutifully follow" the company's policies."

What can I say instead of "dutifully follow"?

You can use alternatives like "obediently adhere to", "faithfully comply with", or "strictly adhere to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "dutifully follow" or "dutyfully follow"?

"Dutifully follow" is the correct form. "Dutyfully" is not a standard adverb and is not typically used. Always use "dutifully follow" to describe performing an action with a sense of duty.

What's the difference between "dutifully follow" and "carefully follow"?

"Dutifully follow" emphasizes obedience and a sense of responsibility in adhering to instructions, while "carefully follow" highlights the attention and precision one gives to the action being followed. The former implies obedience, the latter implies attention to detail.