followed behind

USAGE SUMMARY

'followed behind' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that is trailing behind or behind something else, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The little dog followed behind its owners as they walked down the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Biren Kaka and his wife followed behind.

The New Yorker

Hearing the commotion, my dad followed behind them.

The Guardian - Opinion

His band followed behind in a bus or a hearse.

The Washington Post

Police on foot followed behind, smacking the stragglers with batons.

The New Yorker

So now I followed behind her, in lovely silence.

The New York Times

Eppard, who had made arrangements to stay at the house, followed behind in his own car.

The Washington Post

I went to Naima in the kitchen, and the man followed behind me.

The New Yorker

What happened is that several women from the village had followed behind us.

The New York Times

They then followed behind an Afghan Special Forces team led by Master Sgt. Bilal Ahmed Sheenwari.

The New York Times - Magazine

I braced myself and followed behind only to be shocked by the scene before me.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It also followed behind-the-scenes diplomatic maneuvering in which Turkey took the lead in an unsuccessful effort to persuade Mr. Assad to halt the violence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "trailed behind" or "came after" for variety in your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of redundant usage. For instance, avoid phrases like "followed closely behind", as "followed behind" already implies closeness. Strive for concise and clear expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "followed behind" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating movement or progression in sequence. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it describes someone or something trailing another, reinforcing its role in depicting spatial and temporal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "followed behind" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes movement or progression in sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English. It appears most commonly in news and media, with supporting usage in academia and wiki contexts. While there are no major grammatical concerns, be mindful of potential redundancy and strive for concise expression. Alternative phrases such as "trailed behind" and "came after" can add variety to your writing. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for a range of contexts. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively and accurately incorporate "followed behind" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trailed behind

Emphasizes the act of lagging or being at the rear of a procession or movement.

came after

Focuses on the sequence of events, indicating that one thing happened subsequently.

pursued

Implies an active chase or attempt to catch up with someone or something.

shadowed

Suggests a secretive or observant following, often with surveillance intentions.

brought up the rear

Indicates being the last in a line or group.

walked in the wake of

A more formal or literary way of saying "followed behind", suggesting influence or impact.

succession

Highlights the order in which events or people occur, one after another.

drove after

Used when the object following behind is a car.

went after

Indicates a purposeful pursuit, often to achieve a goal or objective.

accompany

Suggests a supportive following, implying a shared journey or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "followed behind" in a sentence?

Use "followed behind" to show that someone or something moved in the path of someone or something else. For example, "The children "followed behind" their parents on the hike".

What can I say instead of "followed behind"?

You can use alternatives like "trailed behind", "came after", or "pursued", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "followed" and "followed behind"?

"Followed" is a more general term. "Followed behind" emphasizes the spatial relationship and the sequence of movement, indicating that someone or something is specifically at the rear.

Is it redundant to say "followed closely behind"?

Yes, "followed closely behind" is somewhat redundant. The phrase ""followed behind"" already implies a close distance, so adding "closely" can be unnecessary in many contexts.