follow cues

USAGE SUMMARY

"follow cues" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to encourage someone to be attentive to any subtle indicators or signals which suggest what action should be taken or what the next step should be. For example, "Be sure to follow cues from the interviewer when deciding when to speak and when to remain silent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Amazon announced at the event Thursday a feature called Alexa Hunches, a new feature that allows the virtual assistant to follow cues about a user's behavior and make suggestions.

TechCrunch

"We think they might follow cues from the top," he said, "but the top isn't giving them a lot of cues this cycle".

Huffington Post

Reminding yourself to eat more often, to snack between meals, and to eat whenever you feel hungry can help you learn to follow cues from your stomach.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Because this model-based system may learn that two coins are likely to follow cue 2 but not cue 1 or cue 3, it can learn discriminations that the model-based system cannot (see Introduction and Fig. 1).

Human Brain Mapping

Assuming that one of discrete outcome states may follow cue, a model-based system may express signed SPEs, each denoted, and unsigned SPEs, denoted, in response to the attained outcome.

Human Brain Mapping

Trial structure (Figure 1) was as follows: cue (750 ms), inter-stimulus-interval (ISI; 3250 ms), probe (2500 ms), and minimum inter-trial-interval (ITI) of 1000 ms (for a minimum total trial length of 7.5 seconds).

Plosone

Following cue, the RPE simply codes the difference between received and expected reward,.

Human Brain Mapping

In our task, To take a concrete example, imagine a trial in which three coins followed cue, then while and.

Human Brain Mapping

Following cue offset, a variable-length delay period ensued before the 50 ms presentation of a barely-perceptible target in the same location as one of the two cues.

eLife

Learning to follow the cues your body gives you, as opposed to the cues your appetite gives you, can result in improved health.

WikiHow

Ancient Romans and Asian mahouts, or elephant handlers, have noted elephants' ability to distinguish melodies, and today's circus elephants follow musical cues.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "follow cues", ensure the cues are clear and easily discernible within the context to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid assuming you understand all the cues in a situation. If unsure, clarify before acting to prevent miscommunication or errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow cues" primarily functions as an imperative verb phrase, directing someone to observe and act according to available signals or hints. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "follow cues" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that means to observe and act according to available signals or hints. Ludwig AI identifies it as an imperative verb phrase. While "follow cues" isn't exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific publications, suggesting a neutral register. To enhance clarity, ensure that the cues are well-defined within any given context. Alternatives such as "respond to prompts" or "take hints" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings, as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respond to prompts

Highlights reaction to a stimulus; more reactive.

be guided by signals

Emphasizes the directional influence of indications; slightly passive.

heed signals

Emphasizes paying close attention and acting accordingly; more formal.

take hints

Implies understanding subtle indicators; less direct.

observe indications

Focuses on careful observation rather than immediate action; more analytical.

notice signals

Stresses awareness of signs; preliminary to action.

pay attention to suggestions

Highlights the act of giving focus to offered ideas; more proactive.

mind the signs

Warns to be careful about paying attention to warnings.

act on recommendations

Focuses on acting upon expert advice or proposals; more formal.

use guidelines

Emphasizes the action of making use of indications for a certain purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "follow cues" to suggest paying attention to signals or hints to guide behavior. For example, "The successful negotiator will "respond to prompts" from the other party to find common ground."

What does "follow cues" mean in a professional context?

In a professional setting, "follow cues" often means observing the behavior and communication styles of colleagues or superiors to adapt your approach. It's similar to "heed signals" to ensure alignment and effective collaboration.

Which is correct: "following cues" or "follow cues"?

"Follow cues" is generally used as an imperative or infinitive, whereas "following cues" is a gerund or part of a continuous tense. For example: "Be guided by signals" (imperative) versus "She is following cues from her mentor" (continuous tense).

What are some alternatives to "follow cues" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "take hints", "respond to prompts", or "be guided by signals".