follow-on: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2/C1Neutral to formal; common in business, sports (cricket), and academic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “follow-on” mean?
An event, product, or action that comes after and is connected to a previous one.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An event, product, or action that comes after and is connected to a previous one.
1. In business: A subsequent product version. 2. In education: A later stage building on previous work. 3. In law: A connected court case. 4. In cricket: The requirement for a team to bat again immediately after their first innings if they are significantly behind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primary difference is in sports: 'Follow-on' is a standard, specific cricket term in the UK/Commonwealth. In the US, the term is understood in business/academic contexts but is not a native sports term.
Connotations
In the UK, the word can immediately evoke cricket. In the US, it's more purely abstract/business-related.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to its dual role in cricket and general use. In US English, alternatives like 'sequel', 'successor', or 'subsequent' are often preferred in non-technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “follow-on” in a Sentence
[Noun] as a follow-on to [Noun Phrase]a follow-on from [Noun Phrase][Verb] a follow-on [Noun]the follow-on effects of [Noun Phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “follow-on” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The captain decided to follow-on.
- These issues will follow-on from the initial policy change.
American English
- The CEO announced the company would follow-on with a second tranche of funding.
- The research phase will follow-on immediately after the pilot.
adjective
British English
- We are conducting a follow-on investigation.
- The follow-on effects of the recession were severe.
American English
- The follow-on study confirmed the hypothesis.
- The company announced a follow-on stock offering.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A follow-on investment in a startup; a follow-on public offering (FPO).
Academic
A follow-on study to confirm the initial findings.
Everyday
This new series is a follow-on from the original show we loved.
Technical
The captain chose to enforce the follow-on after dismissing the opposition for a low score.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “follow-on”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “follow-on”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “follow-on”
- Using it as a phrasal verb without a hyphen ('We need to follow on this project' - incorrect; use 'follow up on').
- Spelling as one word: 'followon'.
- Using it where 'follow-up' (which implies action to check/complete) is more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Follow-on' implies a natural progression or next stage in a sequence. 'Follow-up' implies an action taken to check, complete, or pursue something initiated earlier (e.g., a follow-up call, a follow-up question).
Yes, but it's less common and often considered a back-formation from the noun. In standard usage, 'follow up on' or 'continue with' are often preferred verb phrases. Its primary use is as a noun or adjective.
Yes, but primarily in business, finance, and academic contexts (e.g., 'follow-on offering', 'follow-on study'). It lacks the specific sports (cricket) connotation it has in British English and is generally less frequent.
Yes, when used as a compound noun or adjective before another noun (e.g., 'a follow-on product', 'the follow-on'). It is typically hyphenated in standard writing.
An event, product, or action that comes after and is connected to a previous one.
Follow-on is usually neutral to formal; common in business, sports (cricket), and academic contexts. in register.
Follow-on: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɒl.əʊ ɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɑː.loʊ ɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a follow-on.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'FOLLOW-ON' as literally FOLLOWing ON from something else. It's the 'on' part that emphasises direct connection, not just random sequence.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY (the next step on the same path), CHAIN (the next link), NARRATIVE (the next chapter).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'follow-on' a specific, formal term?