following his example

USAGE SUMMARY

"following his example" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used as a phrase to describe someone imitating or copying someone else's actions or behavior. Example: She learned how to play the guitar by following his example. In this sentence, "following his example" means that the girl learned to play the guitar by observing and imitating the actions of the person she was watching. Another example: The team achieved great success by following his example of hard work and dedication. In this sentence, "following his example" means that the team achieved success by emulating the hard work and dedication of the person they were inspired by.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Other historians are now following his example.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Others are following his example.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Zelko has always extended himself, and following his example, so does his staff.

The New York Times

The Democrats could do themselves a great deal of good by following his example.

The New York Times

Instead of following his example, she marvelled at the agility of his ageing limbs.

The Guardian - Arts

Murphy began speaking often with Yahmadi and soon started following his example.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

When the movie ends with a group of schoolchildren following his scholarly example -- silhouetted in the dusk, their telescopes pointed heavenward -- you will want to cheer, or cry, or maybe both.

The New York Times

He was an integral member of the powerful Montreal Canadiens team that won a record five successive Stanley Cups (1956 60); following his pioneering example, nearly all subsequent goaltenders wore protective face masks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Among his extramural interests were ornithology and, following his father's example, the practice of calligraphy.

The Guardian

Harvey believes that more black people will come to Burning Man, following his family's example.

The Guardian

This was when Roland Fryer Jr., following his grandmother's example, started working prodigiously hard — and he hasn't stopped.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "following his example", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific actions or qualities are being emulated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "following his example" implies complete and total imitation. Instead, clarify which aspects of the person's behavior or methods are being adopted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following his example" functions as a participial phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun, or as part of an adverbial clause providing context or reason. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "following his example" is a common and grammatically sound way to express emulation or imitation of another person's actions or methods. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across diverse contexts, primarily in news, media, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates which aspects are being emulated to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "emulating his actions" or "taking a page from his book", each with slightly different nuances. While generally neutral, be mindful of the scope of influence implied to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emulating his actions

Focuses on imitating specific actions rather than a general approach.

imitating his behavior

Highlights the mimicry of behavior, potentially in a less formal context.

mirroring his approach

Emphasizes a close similarity in method or strategy.

adopting his methods

Highlights the conscious choice to use someone else's methods.

taking a page from his book

Implies adopting a specific strategy or method from someone.

walking in his footsteps

Suggests following a similar path or career as someone else.

patterning after him

Suggests using someone as a model or template.

modeling oneself on him

Indicates a deliberate effort to shape one's behavior after someone.

taking cues from him

Focuses on observing and reacting to someone's behavior as a guide.

drawing inspiration from him

Implies being motivated by someone's actions or achievements, leading to similar but not necessarily identical behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "following his example" in a sentence?

You can use "following his example" to describe someone who is imitating or emulating the actions or behavior of another person. For example: "She improved her public speaking skills by "following his example" and practicing regularly."

What are some alternatives to "following his example"?

You can use alternatives like "emulating his actions", "imitating his behavior", or "taking a page from his book" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "follows his example" instead of "following his example"?

Both phrases can be correct, but they have different grammatical roles. "Following his example" often functions as a participial phrase, while "follows his example" would be part of a main clause with a subject. For example: "He "follows his example" closely" versus "Following his example, she achieved great success".

What's the difference between "following his example" and "following in his footsteps"?

"Following his example" generally refers to imitating someone's behavior or methods, while "following in his footsteps" suggests pursuing a similar career or life path.