CEFR A1

follow

verb

Meaning

To go or come after someone or something.

Examples

  • I will follow you home.
  • The dog followed its owner everywhere.

Synonyms: accompany, pursue, trail, shadow

Phrases for follow

Natural phrases and collocations with follow. See examples, avoid awkward combinations, and learn how to use follow in context. To go or come after someone or something.

Common patterns

Use these patterns to build complete sentences, not just isolated word combinations.

  • follow someone/something (prepositional phrase): To go behind or after someone or something. The children followed their teacher.
  • follow suit (idiom): To do the same thing as someone else. When she started to sing, others followed suit.
  • follow up (phrasal verb): To do something to check on a previous action or to continue it. I will follow up on your request tomorrow.

Natural collocations

These combinations are useful as ready-made chunks. The examples show how each one works in context.

  • follow the rules You must follow the rules of the game.
  • follow instructions Please follow instructions carefully.
  • follow advice It is wise to follow good advice.
  • follow a path We followed the path through the woods.

See the full dictionary entry for follow