follows up

USAGE SUMMARY

"follows up" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it when talking about something that arises after and possibly builds on a previous event or action. For example, "The campaign was so successful that it prompted the company to launch a second campaign that follows up on the same idea".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Follows up with a bouncer.

The Guardian - Sport

And follows up with another!

The Guardian - Sport

Lee follows up with a no ball.

The Guardian - Sport

She follows up with "Covers Record Two".

The New York Times - Arts

The problem is that he almost never follows up.

The New York Times

The company follows up, asking how it all went.

The New York Times - Travel

He follows up the letters with a telephone call.

The New Yorker

This follows up on the details we put earlier.

The Guardian

Morkel follows up with beautiful ball jagging away from Cook.

The Guardian - Sport

He follows up with phone calls and letters.

The New York Times

She follows up by prowling the aisles, prospecting for customers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "follows up" to clearly indicate that an action is a direct result or continuation of a previous one, creating a logical sequence for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "follows up" when the subsequent action isn't directly linked to the first. Ensure a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "follows up" is as a verb indicating a subsequent action or event. It often describes the act of continuing or pursuing something after an initial step or action. As Ludwig indicates, this usage is both correct and commonly found across various text types.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "follows up" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that signifies a subsequent action or continuation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its appropriateness spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. To use it effectively, make sure the subsequent action is clearly linked to the previous one. Common alternatives include "continues after", "pursues further", and "builds upon", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Considering its versatility and frequent occurrence, "follows up" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

builds upon

Indicates that the new action is based on or extends a previous one.

expands on

Suggests that the topic or action is being developed with more detail and scope.

continues after

Emphasizes the continuation aspect, focusing on what happens after an initial event.

elaborates further

Implies a detailed explanation or addition to something already mentioned.

pursues further

Focuses on the effort to investigate or develop something in more detail.

further investigates

Implies a deeper inquiry or examination of a topic or issue.

acts subsequently

Highlights the sequence of actions, stressing that one action comes after another.

proceeds with

Suggests moving forward with a plan or activity after an initial step.

takes action afterward

Specifically points to the timing of the action, emphasizing that it occurs later.

carries on with

Indicates a continuation of an activity or task without significant interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "follows up" in a sentence?

You can use "follows up" to describe an action that occurs as a result of a previous one. For example, "The company sends an email and then "follows up" with a phone call".

What are some alternatives to "follows up"?

Alternatives include "continues after", "pursues further", or "builds upon" depending on the context.

Is "follows up" formal or informal?

"Follows up" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "follow up" and "follows up"?

"Follow up" is the base form of the verb, used with plural subjects or in the infinitive. "Follows up" is the third-person singular form, used with singular subjects like "he", "she", or "it".