follow up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to neutral; common in professional and administrative contexts.
Quick answer
What does “follow up” mean?
To take further action on or investigate something that was previously initiated.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To take further action on or investigate something that was previously initiated.
To pursue a matter to its conclusion; to check on the progress or outcome of something; a subsequent action or communication designed to continue or reinforce a previous one.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both treat it as a phrasal verb. Spelling of the noun/adjective is 'follow-up' (with hyphen) in careful editing in both, but 'followup' is more common in informal US writing. Usage patterns are nearly identical.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in UK contexts, often implying a structured or official process. In US business contexts, it can feel more routine and expected.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both, with near-equal use in professional domains.
Grammar
How to Use “follow up” in a Sentence
follow up on [noun phrase]follow up with [person]follow up [direct object] (e.g., a lead)do/make a follow-upVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “follow up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The GP will follow up the test results next Tuesday.
- Could you follow up on that invoice from Acme Ltd.?
American English
- The doctor will follow up on the test results next Tuesday.
- Can you follow up with the client about the contract?
adverb
British English
- This is rarely used as an adverb. The phrasal verb itself is used.
- He called her follow-up (incorrect).
American English
- This is rarely used as an adverb. The phrasal verb itself is used.
- The action was taken follow-up (incorrect).
adjective
British English
- She scheduled a follow-up appointment.
- We require a follow-up report by Friday.
American English
- He sent a followup email (informal)/follow-up email (formal).
- The follow-up meeting is scheduled for noon.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential for project management, sales, and client relations. E.g., 'We need to follow up on the proposal we sent last week.'
Academic
Used in research contexts for subsequent studies or data collection. E.g., 'The longitudinal study included a follow-up survey after five years.'
Everyday
Used for social plans, healthcare, or administrative tasks. E.g., 'I'll follow up with you next week to confirm the time.'
Technical
In medicine, refers to subsequent patient monitoring. In IT, refers to subsequent support tickets or bug fixes.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “follow up”
- Omitting the preposition: 'I will follow up you' (incorrect) vs. 'I will follow up with you' (correct).
- Confusing spelling: 'followup' as a noun in formal writing (use 'follow-up').
- Using 'follow up' as a simple synonym for 'continue'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb, it's always two words: 'follow up'. As a noun or adjective, the standard form is hyphenated: 'follow-up'. 'Followup' is a common informal spelling, particularly in American digital communication.
'Follow up' means to take a subsequent action related to a previous one (e.g., check on it, pursue it further). 'Follow through' means to complete an action that has been started, carrying it to its natural end (e.g., finish a project, execute a golf swing).
The most common are 'on' (follow up on an issue) and 'with' (follow up with a person). Occasionally, a direct object is used without a preposition (follow up a lead).
It is standard in formal and informal contexts. In very formal writing, synonyms like 'pursue' or 'investigate further' might be preferred, but 'follow-up' as a noun/adjective is perfectly acceptable.
To take further action on or investigate something that was previously initiated.
Follow up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɒləʊ ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɑːloʊ ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “follow up to the hilt (rare)”
- “follow up on a hunch”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a detective FOLLOWing a clue, then needing to go UP to the next step to solve the case. The 'up' suggests progression to a higher or later stage.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATH/JOURNEY (the initial action is the first step, following up is the next step on the path to completion).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'follow up' correctly as a phrasal verb?