What is follow? Pronunciation and usage in English

follow means . Learn how to pronounce and use follow through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of follow

followverb

/ˈfɒləʊ/
Definition & pronunciation of follow

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "follow" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

The Standard Pronunciation (most common):

  • FAY-luh

Let's break that down:

  • FAY: This sounds like the name "Faith." The "f" is pronounced as in "fan."
  • luh: This is a soft "l" sound, almost like the "u" in "but." It's a quick, short sound.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown with phonetic symbols (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˈfɒləʊ/

  • ˈ: This indicates primary stress – it’s on the first syllable ("FAY").
  • fɒ: This represents the "fa" sound – “Faith” as described above.
  • luh: This is the soft "l" sound.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don't overemphasize the "l": Many people accidentally make the "l" sound strong and long. Keep it quick and subtle like the "u" in "but."
  • Practice the "FAY" sound: If you struggle with that first syllable, try saying "Faith" repeatedly.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type “follow” into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/follow/ – This website has pronunciations by native speakers from various countries.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce follow" on YouTube.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you a few example sentences using the word "follow"?

Usage and examples with the word follow in English

Let's break down how to use the word "follow" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and ways to use it! Here's a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. Following Someone/Something Physically (Tracking Movement)

  • Basic Meaning: To go after someone or something, keeping them in sight.
    • "I'll follow you to the bus stop." (Meaning: I will go with you.)
    • "The police are following a suspect." (Meaning: They are tracking the suspect's movements.)
    • "He followed the trail of footprints in the snow." (Meaning: He walked along the footprints.)

2. Following Instructions/Rules/Guidelines

  • To obey or adhere to: This is a very common usage.
    • "Follow the instructions carefully." (Meaning: Read and do as the instructions say.)
    • "You must follow the rules of the road." (Meaning: You must obey the traffic laws.)
    • "The company follows strict safety protocols." (Meaning: They adhere to their safety rules.)
    • "Follow my lead." (Meaning: Do what I say.)

3. Following a Trend/Style/Example

  • To imitate or copy:
    • "She follows the latest fashion trends." (Meaning: She copies fashionable styles.)
    • "He followed in his father’s footsteps and became a doctor." (Meaning: He took the same career path.)
    • “The artist followed Picasso's style.” (Meaning: The artist imitated Picasso’s artistic style)

4. Following as a Verb Phrase (Often with “up”)

  • To continue to monitor or investigate: This is a frequent construction.
    • "Follow up on that lead." (Meaning: Investigate the lead further.)
    • "I’ll follow up with you tomorrow to discuss the details." (Meaning: I'll contact you again.)
    • "The police are following up on the robbery." (Meaning: They are continuing to investigate the robbery.)

5. Following as a Noun (The action of moving after something)

  • The act of tracking or pursuing:
    • "There was a follow on the highway." (Meaning: A car was following another car.)
    • "The report provides a detailed follow of the incident." (Meaning: The report traces the events of the incident.)

6. Following (in a sequence)

  • To come next in order
    • "We’ll follow with a discussion of the budget." (Meaning: We will discuss the budget next.)
    • "He followed a series of successful albums." (Meaning : He came after a series of successful albums)

Here's a table summarizing the different meanings:

Meaning Example
Physical Tracking "I'll follow you to the store."
Obedience/Adherence "Follow the instructions."
Imitation/Copying "He followed his brother's example."
Continued Monitoring "Follow up on that email."
The Action of Tracking "There was a follow on the road."
Sequence / Next in Order “We’ll follow with a short break.”

Tips for Using "Follow":

  • Context is key: The meaning of "follow" depends heavily on the situation.
  • “Follow up” is common: Mastering the verb phrase "follow up" is really useful.
  • Consider the object: What are you following? A person, instructions, a trend, or a line of inquiry?

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of situation are you thinking about using "follow" in? (e.g., telling a story, giving instructions, writing a business email?)

Synonyms for the word follow

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