followed closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "followed closely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that one thing comes immediately after another or is closely related in sequence or importance. Example: "The main event was followed closely by a series of workshops and discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I followed closely.

Stanford University

I followed closely behind.

The New York Times - Magazine

Followed closely by lack of ambition.

Independent

It was followed closely by solid "training for future work".

The New York Times

The case was followed closely by human rights organisations.

The Guardian

The decision was being followed closely in Moscow.

The New York Times

Squads of Awakening fighters followed closely behind in pickup trucks.

The New York Times

The Saudi negotiations are being followed closely by investors.

The Guardian - Business

But they ignored the sentence that followed closely behind.

The New York Times

It was followed closely by at least six strong aftershocks.

The Guardian

The debate is being followed closely by other universities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "followed closely" to create a sense of immediacy or direct consequence between two events or actions. For example, "The announcement was followed closely by a sharp increase in stock prices."

Common error

Avoid using "followed closely" when you want to emphasize causation rather than sequence. If you intend to show direct cause, use phrases like "resulted directly from" or "was a direct consequence of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "followed closely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner or sequence in which an action occurs. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to describe events or actions occurring in proximity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

23%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "followed closely" is a versatile adverbial phrase indicating a close sequence or relationship between events, actions, or items. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While suitable for various registers, it's important to distinguish its emphasis on sequence from causation. Alternatives such as "closely monitored" or "in quick succession" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closely monitored

Emphasizes the act of observation and tracking something carefully.

carefully observed

Highlights the attentiveness and detail in the observation.

attentively watched

Suggests a focused and engaged observation.

meticulously tracked

Implies a detailed and precise tracking process.

strictly adhered to

Focuses on the aspect of conforming to rules or guidelines.

diligently pursued

Highlights the persistent effort in following or achieving something.

nearly succeeded by

Indicates a close sequence in terms of achievement or ranking.

came right after

Simple and direct way to express sequence.

in quick succession

Emphasizes the speed and closeness of the sequence.

on the heels of

Idiomatic expression indicating close following in time or space.

FAQs

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

The phrase "followed closely" indicates that something comes immediately after or is closely related to something else. For example, "The initial success was followed closely by several challenges."

What can I say instead of "followed closely"?

You can use alternatives like "closely monitored", "carefully observed", or "in quick succession" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "followed closely" or "closely followed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but their usage differs. "Followed closely" typically describes something that happens after something else. "Closely followed" is often used as an adjective, such as "a closely followed event."

What's the difference between "followed closely" and "strictly adhered to"?

"Followed closely" suggests a sequence or observation, while "strictly adhered to" emphasizes compliance with rules or guidelines. The former is about what comes next, and the latter is about obedience.