following the example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'following the example' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "John decided that he would try to save money every month by following the example of his parents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pug the Painter following the example of..

Yale University

Kourelis is following the example set by Command Sgt. Maj.

The New York Times - Sports

They're following the example of our puritanical cousins in the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the press, there was talk of following the example of the Chinese.

The New Yorker

Clan-based guerrilla opposition groups multiplied rapidly, following the example of the SSDF and SNM.

Britannica

The method will be illustrated following the example of an HGHG scheme for the SPARX project.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Was I really following the example of the sudden friends who came to stay in Rome but not in Lusaka?

The New York Times - Travel

Gurpreet warned against people blindly following the example of Qin and Cerullo with making their own proposals a public spectacle.

The Guardian - Sport

When challenged by his teacher the child claimed to be following the example set by the mayor.

The Guardian

It is following the example set by Sweden in the late 1990s, and then by Norway and Iceland.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1973, House bomb-throwers, following the example of the Democratic Study Group, formed the Republican Study Committee.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like 'emulating' or 'mirroring' if you want to emphasize the degree of imitation beyond simply "following the example".

Common error

A common mistake is to use "following the example" without clearly stating who or what is setting the example. Always specify the subject to maintain clarity for your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following the example" functions primarily as a participial phrase, often used adjectivally to describe a subject's action in relation to a model. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. The examples show that it can modify a noun or pronoun, indicating the manner in which an action is performed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "following the example" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes imitation or emulation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and versatile. It appears most often in news and media, but also in science and business contexts. To use it effectively, clearly identify whose example is being followed and consider stronger verbs if you want to emphasize the degree of imitation. Be mindful of the context to ensure it fits the appropriate level of formality, as well as avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emulating someone's actions

Replaces 'following' with 'emulating' and specifies 'actions'.

acting in accordance with someone's example

Formal rephrasing that is more appropriate for academic or legal writing.

adopting someone's methods

Highlights the adoption of particular methods or techniques.

mirroring someone's approach

Uses 'mirroring' to suggest a close imitation of an approach.

modeling oneself on someone

Focuses on self-modeling based on another person's example.

taking a leaf out of someone's book

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey imitation.

copying someone's strategy

Focuses on copying a specific strategy rather than general behavior.

walking in someone's footsteps

An idiomatic expression that suggests following a predecessor's path.

patterning after someone

Employs 'patterning after' to indicate modeling behavior.

taking after someone

Suggests inheriting or adopting traits from someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "following the example" to indicate that someone or something is imitating or emulating the behavior, methods, or actions of another. For instance, "The new company is "following the example" of industry leaders in sustainable practices".

What are some alternatives to "following the example"?

Alternatives include "emulating someone", "mirroring someone's approach", or "adopting someone's methods" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "follow the example" or "following the example"?

The choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. "Follow the example" is an imperative, used for giving a command or instruction. "Following the example" is a participial phrase, used to describe an action in progress or as part of a larger clause.

What is the difference between "following the example" and "setting the example"?

"Following the example" means to imitate or emulate someone's actions, while "setting the example" means to act in a way that others can or should imitate. They represent opposite roles in the dynamic of influence and imitation.