FOLLOW UP

National Parks

📖 Definition

Follow up means to pursue or investigate something further after an initial action or event. It involves taking additional steps to ensure continued progress.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

Follow up means to pursue or investigate something further after an initial action or event. It involves taking additional steps to ensure continued progress.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
Yes
The object can come between 'follow' and 'up' or after 'up'.
Register
Neutral
Suitable for both casual and formal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
Requires a direct object, indicating what is being further pursued or investigated.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple follow up I follow up on all my emails promptly.
Past Simple followed up She followed up on the client's request.
Present Continuous following up He is following up on the job application.
Present Perfect have followed up They have followed up efficiently on the leads.

💡 When to Use

After an initial interaction
Use when wanting to revisit or continue communication after an initial meeting or conversation.
Example: "I wanted to follow up after our meeting yesterday."
Investigating further
Employ when you seek to look into a topic or issue more deeply after initial examination.
Example: "The team will follow up on the research findings."
Ensuring task completion
Use to confirm whether tasks are finalized or require further action.
Example: "Did you follow up on the project status with the team?"

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Misplaced object
❌ Wrong: I follow the email up tomorrow.
✅ Correct: I will follow up on the email tomorrow.
💡 Tip: Remember, 'up' usually follows 'follow' directly.
Incorrect tense usage
❌ Wrong: They follow uped on it yesterday.
✅ Correct: They followed up on it yesterday.
💡 Tip: Observe standard past tense forms for regular verbs.
Missing preposition
❌ Wrong: She will follow the issue.
✅ Correct: She will follow up on the issue.
💡 Tip: Don't forget the 'up' and preposition 'on' for completeness.
Practice

FOLLOW UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

pursue investigate

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"After the meeting, she needed to ___ on the client’s concerns."

follows
follow up
followed
following

"When you follow up with genuine curiosity, paths of wisdom often reveal themselves in the most unexpected ways."

In Context

Louise Arner Boyd was an American explorer known for her Arctic explorations. In the early 20th century, Boyd took it upon herself to follow up on the work of famed Arctic explorers like Amundsen and Nansen. Her journey began in 1926 when she decided to organize her own expedition to Greenland. She meticulously followed up every lead, gathering information and resources necessary for her ambitious plan. Her determination paid off, and by 1928, Boyd had become the first woman to lead an Arctic expedition, following up her findings with meticulous documentation and photographs, enriching scientific knowledge of the region. In 1931, Boyd took yet another daring step. She was asked to follow up on the search for the lost explorer Amundsen. Her expertise in Arctic terrains made her the perfect candidate. Despite harsh conditions, Boyd successfully gathered critical data that contributed to mapping the Arctic’s intricate geography. The press lauded her ability to follow up on previous expeditions with unmatched dedication and precision. By the mid-1930s, Boyd had published her findings, which enriched geographical and botanical knowledge. Her work continued to inspire generations of explorers who followed up on her discoveries, adding to the body of scientific knowledge in Arctic studies. Boyd's relentless pursuit exemplifies how systematic follow-ups can lead to remarkable contributions in exploration and science.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Follow Up

What is the origin of follow up?

+
The term 'follow up' originates from the combination of 'follow' and the adverb 'up', forming a phrasal verb in English denoting continued pursuit or inquiry. Traced back to military and business contexts in the 18th and 19th centuries, it metaphorically extended to various fields, including medicine and research.

Can follow up be used in formal and informal contexts?

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Yes, 'follow up' is a versatile phrasal verb, appropriate in both formal and informal settings. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for professional correspondence, such as emails or reports, as well as casual conversations, where ongoing attention or effort is indicated, like in personal follow-ups.

What is the difference between follow up and pursue?

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'Follow up' implies continuing efforts after an initial step or inquiry, often to check completion or gather more information. 'Pursue', on the other hand, indicates a broader, often more determined effort towards achieving a goal or task, regardless of prior actions or investigations.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

find outfocus onfollow alongget alongget around
Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs
National Parks Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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