following their

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "following their" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening as a result of or in accordance with the actions or decisions of a group or individual. Example: "The team made significant progress, following their initial strategy to improve efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not following their court cases responsibly.

The New York Times

They're just following their friends".

The New York Times

They're following their sister's lead".

The New Yorker

Things collect here, following their own logic.

The New York Times

The superstitious were following their rituals.

The Guardian

"Member states are not following their commitments".

The New York Times

-- in the year following their 16th birthday.

The New York Times

We are following their plans closely".

The Guardian - Business

"They're just people following their beliefs".

The New York Times

We hope you'll enjoy following their exploits.

The Guardian - Tech

"We are closely following their model".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "following their", ensure the pronoun "their" clearly refers to a specific group or entity to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify: "The students are excelling, following their teacher's innovative methods."

Common error

Avoid using "following their" when it's unclear who "their" refers to. Instead of "The project progressed, following their guidelines", specify: "The project progressed, following the committee's guidelines" to eliminate confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following their" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to indicate how or why something is done. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

5%

TechCrunch

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "following their" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase widely used to denote adherence to someone else's actions or guidelines. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its neutral register and high frequency across various sources, especially in news and media, make it a versatile choice for expressing compliance or imitation. To maximize clarity, ensure "their" has a clear and specific referent. Consider alternatives like "in accordance with their" for a more formal tone. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "following their" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in accordance with their

Replaces "following" with a more formal prepositional phrase, emphasizing compliance.

adhering to their

Similar to 'in accordance with', but stresses strict adherence.

pursuant to their

A formal alternative to "following", often used in legal or official contexts.

conforming to their

Indicates compliance with established norms or expectations set by them.

based on their

Indicates that something is done using their actions as a basis or foundation.

guided by their

Highlights the influence of their directions or principles.

as a result of their

Emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between their actions and subsequent events.

in their wake

Emphasizes the sequential nature of events, with others coming after them.

taking their cue from

Implies that others are imitating or learning from their example.

emulating their

Focuses on the act of imitation, typically in a positive way.

FAQs

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

Use "following their" to indicate that an action or decision is being made as a result of someone's lead, example, or instructions. For instance, "The company expanded, "following their" successful marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to using "following their"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "in accordance with their", "pursuant to their", or "based on their".

Is it always necessary to specify who "their" refers to when using "following their"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who "their" refers to improves clarity and avoids ambiguity. Consider clarifying the referent, especially in formal writing.

How does "following their" differ from "leading them"?

"Following their" implies imitation or compliance, while "leading them" suggests guiding or directing. The former emphasizes adherence, while the latter emphasizes influence.