follow up with

USAGE SUMMARY

'follow up with' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone taking further action of some kind. For example, "I'll follow up with the client tomorrow to discuss the details of the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Follow up with a letter.

The New Yorker

Follow up with your insurance company.

The New York Times

Please follow up with me.

Cornell University

Follow up with them afterward.

Harvard Business Review

Follow up with everyone.

Huffington Post

Follow up with details.

WikiHow

Follow up with customers.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Follow-up with your best candidates.

WikiHow

Follow-up with payers and clearinghouses.

WikiHow

Follow-up with the retail buyers.

WikiHow

Follow-up with a "standing crunch.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "follow up with", clearly state the action you will take and the person or entity you will contact. This makes your communication direct and actionable.

Common error

Avoid being vague about the specifics of the follow-up. Instead of saying "I'll follow up with you", specify what you'll be following up about: "I'll "follow up with" you next week to discuss the budget."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "follow up with" is that of a phrasal verb, indicating an action taken to pursue something further or to maintain contact. As demonstrated in Ludwig, it's often used to describe subsequent actions after an initial interaction or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

23%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Follow up with" is a versatile phrasal verb indicating further action or maintaining contact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase is common in diverse contexts, from professional communications and news reporting to instructional guides on WikiHow. The usage ranges from professional to informal, and the best practice is to be clear about what specific action you're taking. Common errors include vagueness, so state your intentions clearly. There are many alternatives like ""get back to"", ""check in with"", and ""touch base with"" to use depending on context and desired formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get back to

Implies a return to a previous communication or task, differing slightly in its focus on responding.

follow through with

Emphasizes completing something that has been started, highlighting the action-oriented aspect.

touch base with

Suggests a brief communication to check in on progress or maintain contact, differing in its informality.

check in with

Similar to 'touch base', but may imply a more formal or structured communication.

keep in contact with

Focuses on maintaining ongoing communication over a period of time.

stay in touch with

Similar to "keep in contact with", emphasizing the act of remaining connected.

pursue

Implies actively continuing with an action or plan, focusing on forward movement.

investigate

Suggests a more in-depth examination or inquiry, differing in its focus on gathering information.

monitor

Implies observing and tracking progress, differing in its emphasis on observation.

revisit

Suggests going back to something at a later time, focusing on reviewing or re-examining.

FAQs

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

You can use "follow up with" to indicate taking further action after an initial step. For instance, "I will "follow up with" the client after the meeting" or "Please "follow up with" the vendor to confirm the delivery date".

What are some alternatives to "follow up with"?

Alternatives include "get back to", "check in with", or "touch base with", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to "follow up with" an email or a phone call?

The best method depends on the situation. For urgent matters, a phone call might be more effective. For documenting information or providing detailed updates, an email might be preferable. Some sources suggest that condolence emails are insufficient and require a letter to "follow up with".

How often should I "follow up with" someone after an interview?

A general guideline is to send a thank-you note immediately after the interview and then "follow up with" the hiring manager within one to two weeks if you haven't heard back. This shows your continued interest in the position.