follow up

take more action on something after a first step

B2

What does "follow sth up" mean?

To follow up means to return to something after an initial action in order to continue, investigate, or develop it further. It implies a deliberate second step — you have already done something (sent an email, received a tip, had a meeting) and now you are actively pursuing it to get a result. This phrasal verb is extremely common in professional and business contexts: people follow up on job applications, sales leads, complaints, and client meetings. It is also used in journalism (following up on a story), healthcare (following up with a doctor after a test), and in everyday situations where someone wants to check whether a previous action led anywhere. The emphasis is on the return and the forward movement — you are not just checking passively, but taking a purposeful next step.

Examples

How to use it

follow up + noun object

The most common transitive pattern, used with short noun objects such as emails, calls, or leads.

She followed up her initial email with a polite phone call to the recruiter.

follow up on + noun object

A three-part form that is especially common in American English and fully standard in all contexts; the object always comes after 'on' and cannot be moved.

The journalist decided to follow up on the tip she had received from an anonymous source.

follow + pronoun + up

When the object is a pronoun (it, them, this, that), separation is obligatory — the pronoun must go between the verb and 'up'.

We received a complaint last week — has anyone followed it up yet?

follow up (intransitive)

Used without an object when the thing being pursued is already clear from context, common in professional spoken and written communication.

Thanks for your message — I'll follow up early next week once I have more information.

be followed up (passive)

The passive form is natural and common, particularly in business, healthcare, and journalistic contexts.

Every customer inquiry is followed up within two working days by a member of our team.

Common Collocations

follow up an emailfollow up on a leadfollow up with a clientfollow up on a complaintfollow up on a job applicationfollow up on test results

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', you must place it between 'follow' and 'up'. Placing it after 'up' is incorrect.

✗ I'll follow up it tomorrow.
✓ I'll follow it up tomorrow.
Confusing 'follow up' with 'follow through'

'Follow up' means returning to something after an initial step to pursue it further; 'follow through' means completing or carrying out something all the way to the end. They describe different stages of a process.

✗ She followed up on the project until it was completely finished. (if the meaning is 'saw it to completion')
✓ She followed through on the project until it was completely finished.
Writing the verb as a hyphenated word

The hyphenated form 'follow-up' is a noun or adjective (e.g. 'a follow-up email'), not a verb. When used as a verb, it must be written as two separate words.

✗ Can you follow-up with the client this afternoon?
✓ Can you follow up with the client this afternoon?

Usage

Both 'follow up something' and 'follow up on something' are correct; the 'on' version is especially common in American English. The noun form is hyphenated ('a follow-up email'), but the verb is two separate words ('I'll follow up tomorrow').

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between 'follow up something' and 'follow up on something'?

Both are correct and mean the same thing. 'Follow up on something' is particularly common in American English, while 'follow up something' (without 'on') is slightly more frequent in British English. In practice, both forms are widely understood everywhere.

Can 'follow up' be used without an object?

Yes. When it is obvious what is being pursued — for example, after a meeting or email exchange — you can simply say 'I'll follow up later' or 'She promised to follow up'. The object is understood from the context.

What kinds of things can you 'follow up'?

Common objects include emails, phone calls, leads, complaints, job applications, referrals, appointments, and test results. Essentially, anything where you have taken an initial step and need to return to it — you can follow it up. People also follow up 'with' someone: 'I'll follow up with the supplier tomorrow.'

Does 'follow up' have more than one meaning?

This sense — pursuing or investigating something further after an initial action — is the core meaning. The same verb form also exists as a noun and adjective ('a follow-up email', 'a follow-up appointment'), but that is a different word class, not a different meaning of the verb.

Can I use 'follow up' in formal writing or professional emails?

Yes, it is entirely appropriate — and in fact very common — in professional communication. You will often see it in email subject lines ('Follow-up: our meeting on Tuesday') and in business correspondence. It is neutral to slightly formal and suits most workplace contexts well.

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