follow a position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "follow a position" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could be used in contexts where someone is adhering to a specific stance or viewpoint, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "In the debate, I chose to follow a position that emphasized the importance of environmental sustainability."

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Equatorial mounts are attractive because they allow the telescope to follow a position in the sky as the Earth rotates by moving the antenna about a single axis parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Brook Ziporyn (2000) calls this "omnicentric holism"—any phenomena can be taken as the center from which the whole follows (a position with remarkable similarities to that of Leibniz).

SEP

This demonstrated a total of three polymorphic sites for the unidentified species, as follows: A at position 175, T at position 219, and A at position 366.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The missing piece of the puzzle was motion detection sensors that could follow a shooter's position on the court.

TechCrunch

Hence, if an instruction seems blatantly wrong, it is incumbent on a health care professional not to follow it, a position which was confirmed by two cases in which a pharmacist who failed to seek confirmation of a prescription that was patently wrong was found to be negligent [ 26, 27].

BMC Health Services Research

But it's not what the majority of bishops [think]." And if the pope's upcoming edict feels progressive, it still follows a bishops' position paper released by the Catholic church in Australia 10 years ago, titled Climate Change: Our Responsibility to Sustain God's Earth.

The Guardian

Then, this hypothetical optimal binding partner was mutated stepwise as follows: A random position in the sequence was chosen to be substituted with 75% probability, deleted with 17% or a nucleotide inserted (8%).

Bioinformatics

Did Hastings target its nondiscrimination policy only to CLS, or was its refusal to recognize CLS made pursuant to a general policy of nondiscrimination that required all Hastings student organizations to follow "a take-all-comers position"?

Forbes

As the counts of variable reads at a nucleotide position follow a binomial distribution and the expected FVF for true SNPs is 0.5, we used the binomial probability of deviation between observed FVF and 0.5 to set the cutoff between true or false SNPs.

BMC Genomics

During a MD simulation the projected atomic positions follow a 2D normal distribution.

Advanced Structural and Chemical Imaging

The performance of the proposed algorithm with imperfect CSI is assessed using Monte Carlo simulations, where the mobiles' positions follow a uniform distribution.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "follow a position", ensure the context clearly indicates adherence to a viewpoint, strategy, or defined course. Replace it with stronger alternatives like "adopt", "maintain", or "support" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "follow a position" if the intent is to describe something that naturally results from a state or circumstance. Opt for phrases like "arises from", "derives from", or "is a consequence of" for enhanced accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow a position" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating adherence to or alignment with a specific stance, viewpoint, or strategy. While Ludwig examples indicate its usage, Ludwig AI suggests it is not a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "follow a position" signifies adhering to a specific stance or viewpoint. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI marks it as not a standard expression, suggesting that clearer alternatives like "adopt a position" or "maintain a stance" might be more effective. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, its usage implies a formal or neutral register. To enhance clarity and impact, writers should consider stronger alternatives, especially when precision is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adopt a position

Implies selecting and embracing a specific stance or belief.

support an opinion

Focuses on providing evidence or justification for a particular viewpoint.

maintain a stance

Focuses on consistency in upholding a particular viewpoint.

align with a belief

Highlights agreement and consistency with a particular conviction.

adhere to a viewpoint

Implies strict agreement and alignment with a specific perspective.

take a stand on

Emphasizes a public declaration of support for a cause or issue.

uphold an argument

Emphasizes defending and supporting a claim or line of reasoning.

defend a thesis

Implies protecting and advocating for a specific argument or proposition.

stick to a decision

Highlights commitment to a chosen course of action despite potential challenges.

pursue a direction

Suggests actively working towards a goal or objective.

FAQs

What does "follow a position" mean?

The phrase "follow a position" generally suggests adhering to a specific viewpoint, strategy, or course of action. However, its meaning can be ambiguous without sufficient context. Consider using clearer alternatives for improved communication.

What are some alternatives to "follow a position"?

You can use alternatives like "adopt a position", "maintain a stance", or "support an opinion" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "follow a position"?

It is appropriate to use "follow a position" when you want to say someone or something is adhering to or guided by a specific viewpoint or strategy. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretation.

Is "follow a position" formal or informal?

The phrase "follow a position" leans towards a more formal register, but it's not commonly used in everyday conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "agree with" or "stick to".