following closely

USAGE SUMMARY

"following closely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that happens after something else very quickly. For example, "He walked up the stairs, following closely behind his brother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The percentage following closely was over 10pts lower than the average percentage who follow a "big news story" closely.

The Guardian

Consular following closely with French authorities".

The Guardian - Sport

And finally, there's one work that is not yet public that I have been following closely.

The New York Times - Arts

But Newman went to the high side of the racetrack with Busch following closely behind.

The New York Times - Sports

It's therefore unlikely that business leaders are following closely what's going on in higher education.

Harvard Business Review

Two other companies – CRISPR Therapeutics and Intellia Therapeutics—are following closely behind.

Stanford University

One area of the economy that investors will be following closely is housing.

The New York Times

Snapchat is leading the charge, with Facebook and Instagram following closely behind.

The New York Times

Which brings me back to a story I've been following closely over the past year.

The New York Times

On the uneven sidewalks, girls in heavy makeup tottered along in high heels, their loutish boyfriends following closely behind.

The New Yorker

He even hit the ice to play hockey here, with a local television crew following closely along.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "following closely" to describe situations where observation or tracking is done with significant attention and proximity, either physically or metaphorically. For instance, in financial contexts, one might "follow closely" market trends.

Common error

Avoid using "close following" when you mean "following closely". "Close following" typically describes a group of followers, not the act of following. Instead of saying "The project had a close following", consider "The project was followed closely."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following closely" functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe the act of monitoring or observing something with focused attention. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English, as showcased by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "following closely" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe careful observation or monitoring. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and usable in English. Its prevalence across news, academic, and business contexts underscores its broad applicability. When writing, remember to reserve "following closely" for situations where focused attention and proximity are key, and avoid the less common "close following" when describing the act of observing. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "following closely" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monitoring intently

Implies a focused and deliberate observation, suggesting a higher degree of attention than "following closely".

tracking meticulously

Emphasizes the detailed and precise nature of the tracking, often implying a scientific or investigative context.

observing attentively

Highlights the careful and thoughtful nature of the observation.

keeping a close watch

Suggests a vigilant and protective observation, often implying a potential threat or risk.

shadowing

Implies physically following someone or something very near. It is also usable in a broader sense to follow a methodology.

trailing

Suggests following behind at a short distance, often with a sense of pursuit or surveillance.

on the heels of

Emphasizes the immediacy of following, indicating that something happens very soon after something else.

in the wake of

Similar to "on the heels of", but may imply a more significant or consequential relationship between the events.

coming right after

Directly indicates sequence and proximity in time or space.

chasing closely

Emphasizes a pursuit, often implying a competitive or urgent situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "following closely" to describe the act of monitoring something with attention, as in "Investors are following closely the company's financial performance" or to describe something happening immediately after something else, as in "The second car was "following closely behind" the first".

What does it mean to be "following closely"?

To be "following closely" means to be paying close attention to something or someone, either by observing them carefully or by staying informed about their progress or activities. It can also mean to come directly after something else.

Which is more appropriate, "following closely" or "closely following"?

"Following closely" is generally preferred, especially when describing an action. "Closely following" might be used as an adjective phrase (e.g., "a closely following crowd"), but "following closely" is more versatile and commonly used.

What are some alternatives to "following closely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "monitoring intently", "tracking meticulously", or "observing attentively". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.