follow up on

USAGE SUMMARY

"follow up on" is a correct and usable phrasal verb in written English.
You use it when you want to discuss taking further action after taking part in an activity or events that has already been completed. For example: "We should follow up on the results of the meeting to make sure we meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Follow up on invitations.

Forbes

Then follow up on your threat.

The New York Times

Must follow up on this.

University of California, Berkeley

Anyone want to follow up on that?

Yale University

"We will definitely follow up on this".

The New York Times

MR. LEHRER: We'll follow up on this.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Failure to follow-up on customer receivables delays.

Forbes

You need to follow-up on him.

Vice

I'm left handed!" Follow-up on this.

WikiHow

A follow-up on the first story.

The New Yorker

Clinical follow-up on a quarterly basis.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "follow up on", be specific about what action you will take. For instance, "follow up on the leads" is less effective than "follow up on the leads by calling each prospect this week."

Common error

Avoid stating you will "follow up on" something without outlining the next steps. Always define what action you plan to take, such as "follow up on this issue with a phone call."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "follow up on" functions primarily as a dynamic verb, indicating an action taken to pursue or investigate something further. Ludwig AI shows examples in contexts ranging from business to personal matters, illustrating its wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "follow up on" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe taking further action on a previous event or inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, highlighting its common usage in news, academic, and general contexts. When using "follow up on", remember to be specific about the planned action to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "look into" or "investigate" for slight variations in meaning. In conclusion, the phrase is a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look into

Emphasizes investigation or examination of something.

check up on

Suggests monitoring or verifying the status of something or someone.

follow through with

Highlights completing an action or promise.

investigate

Focuses on a formal or detailed inquiry.

act on

Emphasizes taking action based on information or a decision.

pursue

Implies actively working towards a goal or resolution.

take care of

Implies managing or resolving a matter.

monitor

Indicates continuous observation and tracking.

attend to

Suggests giving attention or dealing with something.

keep tabs on

Suggests closely watching or supervising something.

FAQs

How can I use "follow up on" in a sentence?

You can use "follow up on" to indicate taking further action on something. For example, "I need to follow up on my application" or "Let's follow up on the client's inquiry."

What's a good alternative to "follow up on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "look into", "investigate", or "check up on" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "follow up" or "follow up on"?

"Follow up" and "follow up on" are both correct, but they are used differently. "Follow up" is often used as a noun (e.g., "a follow-up meeting"), while "follow up on" is used as a phrasal verb (e.g., "follow up on the email").

What does it mean to "follow through with" something, compared to "follow up on" it?

Follow through with emphasizes completing an action or promise, while "follow up on" focuses on taking further steps to monitor or investigate something. For example, you might "follow up on" a lead and then "follow through with" a sales agreement.