follow very

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "follow very" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to emphasize the act of following something closely, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "You should follow very closely to the instructions provided."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Team news to follow very shortly.

The Guardian - Sport

So this is something we follow very closely.

The Guardian - Opinion

The two unions used to follow very different tacks.

The Economist

"I would expect companies like Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes to follow very quickly," he said.

The New York Times

The story, at first a bit hard to follow, very soon attains faultless impetus and pacing.

The Guardian - Books

"The only phrase of Christ that I follow very carefully is the one that says not to judge.

The New York Times

They also, with some exceptions, follow very distinct and sometimes hostile forms of Shiism: Akhbari in Iraq, Usuli in Iran.

The New York Times

She said that any "formal legal action would have to follow very different procedures that were not considered today".

The New York Times

Krisel does many takes of a scene, most of which start and end the same way but follow very different paths to get there.

The New Yorker

Names and some details have been changed, yet the written lives of its characters follow very closely their actual biographical contours.

The New Yorker

Although storytelling is impossible, Turk-Browne has discovered that Johnson can leverage her surviving semantic memory to follow very short narratives.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer stronger verbs like "follow closely", "adhere strictly", or "observe carefully" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "follow very" to add emphasis. Instead, choose a more descriptive verb or adverb that accurately conveys the degree of attention or adherence required. For example use "follow closely" rather than "follow very".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow very" functions as a verb modifier, attempting to intensify the action of following. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is not grammatically correct. Better alternatives include adverbs like 'closely', 'carefully', or 'strictly'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "follow very" appears frequently across various sources, including news, science, and business, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using more precise alternatives like "follow closely", "adhere strictly to", or "observe carefully" to enhance clarity and grammatical accuracy. It's important to choose stronger verbs or adverbs that accurately convey the degree of attention or adherence required. Although the frequency of the expression is rated as very common, it is advisable to avoid it for more formal writing contexts, given the grammatical ambiguity pointed out by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow closely

Emphasizes the need to pay attention and observe something carefully.

adhere strictly to

Highlights the necessity of complying precisely with guidelines or rules.

stick rigorously to

Stresses the need to follow guidelines or regulations without deviation.

observe carefully

Stresses the act of watching something with great attention to detail.

watch attentively

Emphasizes paying close attention while watching or observing something.

monitor diligently

Indicates an ongoing and thorough supervision of something.

keep a close watch on

Suggests constant surveillance and attentiveness.

track meticulously

Focuses on detailed recording and tracing of something's progress.

scrutinize thoroughly

Implies a deep and critical examination of something.

keep under surveillance

Emphasizes observation, particularly when suspicion is involved.

FAQs

What is a better alternative to the phrase "follow very"?

Consider using phrases like "follow closely", "adhere strictly to", or "observe carefully" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

How can I emphasize the importance of following instructions without using "follow very"?

You can emphasize the importance by using phrases such as "strictly adhere to", "carefully observe", or "meticulously follow".

Is "follow very" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "follow very" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Better alternatives include "follow closely" or "adhere strictly".

When is it appropriate to use "follow very" in writing?

It's generally not appropriate to use "follow very" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "closely monitor" or "strictly observe".