follow suit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "follow suit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone has done the same thing as someone else, usually when making a comparison or responding to an action. For example: "My friend was so successful in her new job that I decided to follow suit and apply for the same position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others will follow suit.

The Economist

Will Pemex follow suit?

The Economist

NRW may follow suit.

The Economist

"They follow suit.

The New York Times - Sports

Politicians follow suit.

The Economist

Romania might follow suit.

The Economist

More should follow suit.

The New York Times

Philadelphia may follow suit.

Harvard University

Can Wales follow suit?

The Guardian - Travel

Did Gosling follow suit?

The Guardian - Film

Others follow suit.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "follow suit" when you want to indicate that one action is a direct response or imitation of a preceding action. Ensure the context clearly shows who or what is being imitated.

Common error

Avoid using "follow suit" when you simply mean to agree with something. It specifically implies imitation, not just concurrence. For mere agreement, consider phrases like "I agree" or "I concur".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow suit" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of imitating or replicating a preceding action. It signifies a response to an example set by another, as seen in Ludwig's examples where companies or individuals "follow suit" after an initial action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "follow suit" is a common and versatile verb phrase, primarily used to indicate imitation or replication of a preceding action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in News & Media, and Academia, as well as in Science. The phrase's register is generally neutral, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. When using "follow suit", ensure that the context clearly establishes the imitated action. While generally appropriate, consider more precise synonyms like "emulate" or "replicate" for highly formal writing. Be mindful that the term implies active imitation, distinguishing it from simple agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do the same

A simple and direct way of expressing the idea of replicating an action.

take a cue

This suggests taking inspiration or guidance from someone's actions.

emulate

Implies a conscious effort to match or surpass someone's behavior or achievements.

act accordingly

Focuses on behaving in a way that is appropriate for the situation, based on prior actions.

imitate

Focuses on replicating someone's actions, often in a direct and observable way.

mirror

Suggests a close resemblance in action or behavior, like a reflection.

copy

Indicates making a replica, sometimes with a negative connotation of lacking originality.

walk the same path

Suggests following a similar course of action or life direction.

toe the line

Emphasizes adhering to rules or expectations set by others.

conform

Highlights aligning oneself with prevailing standards or norms.

FAQs

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

You can use "follow suit" to indicate that someone is imitating or doing the same thing that someone else has already done. For example, "After the company increased salaries, other companies in the industry decided to "follow suit"."

What does "follow suit" mean?

"Follow suit" has two primary meanings: In card games, it means to play a card of the same suit as the card that was just played. More generally, it means to do the same thing that someone else has done.

What can I say instead of "follow suit"?

You can use alternatives like "emulate", "imitate", or "do the same" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "follow suit" in formal writing?

Yes, "follow suit" is acceptable in formal writing, though it's important to ensure the context is appropriate. It is often used in news reporting and analytical pieces. However, in highly formal or academic writing, you might consider a more precise synonym such as "replicate" or "mirror".