followed one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "followed one another" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sequence or order in which events or actions occur, indicating that they happen in succession. Example: "The dancers moved gracefully, followed one another in perfect harmony across the stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Had he been watching old gangster movies on cable during all of those insomniac nights that had followed one another over the past few years, gray and vaguely threatening, like suspects in a lineup?

Johns Hopkins University

According to this view, enhanced posterior negativity for stress match might be interpreted as reflecting that the task-specific expectancy of an unstressed syllable following a stressed syllable was violated in the stress match condition in which two stressed syllables followed one another.

Brain and Language

Snowdrifts followed one another in waves.

The Guardian - Music

Dance scenes and musical numbers followed one another without interruption as the company offered a panoramic theatrical view of Colombia.

The New York Times - Arts

Although the production's eight sections followed one another without pause, each segment also had its separate and often mystifying title.

The New York Times - Arts

The group met at a parking lot in Stamford and then followed one another to the trail site.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Otherwise, the seasons follow one another on DVD.

The New York Times

The cell-based system allows trucks to follow one another on the ramp as long as the traffic is in one direction.

Visualization in Engineering

In a further nod to social, users can follow one another on Songdrop itself and/or import their Facebook friend-list.

TechCrunch

We follow one another on the internet.

Vice

Such incidents follow one another like clockwork, and even the effect on stock markets is the same each time.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "followed one another" to clearly indicate a chronological sequence of events or actions involving multiple subjects. This makes the order of occurrence unmistakable for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "followed one another" when referring to a singular subject. This phrase implies a reciprocal or sequential action between multiple entities, so ensure your sentence reflects that.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "followed one another" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a sequential action or relationship between multiple subjects. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts, from describing events to physical movements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "followed one another" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies a sequence or order of events involving multiple entities. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Academia. When writing, ensure the context involves multiple actors to accurately reflect the meaning of the expression. While there are alternatives like "succeeded each other", "followed one another" clearly conveys the sequential nature of the actions or occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeeded each other

Replaces "followed" with "succeeded", emphasizing a sequence of events or people.

came one after another

Offers a more descriptive way of expressing sequential occurrence.

occurred in sequence

Focuses on the order in which events took place, emphasizing arrangement.

progressed successively

Highlights the idea of advancement or progression in a step-by-step manner.

reciprocated with each other

Emphasizes mutual action or exchange between two or more parties.

mirrored one another

Implies a close similarity or reflection in the actions or behaviors of multiple entities.

emulated each other

Focuses on imitation or copying of actions between entities.

moved in tandem

Stresses simultaneous movement or action performed together.

acted in concert

Emphasizes coordinated action, often involving multiple entities working towards a shared goal.

operated sequentially

Focuses on the order of operations, underlining that actions happen one after another.

FAQs

How can I use "followed one another" in a sentence?

Use "followed one another" to describe a series of actions or events that occurred in sequence. For example, "The scandals "followed one another", damaging the company's reputation".

What's the difference between "followed one another" and "followed each other"?

"Followed one another" emphasizes a sequence, while "followed each other" can imply either a sequence or mutual following. The distinction can be subtle but context-dependent.

Which is correct, "followed one another" or "followed themselves"?

"Followed one another" is used when multiple entities are involved, while "followed themselves" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't make sense. A reflexive pronoun like themselves cannot be used in reciprocal construction. The most approximate term would be "followed their own path".

What are some alternatives to "followed one another"?

Alternatives include "succeeded each other", "came one after another", or "occurred in sequence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.