What are the definitions of “follow on”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Leave to meet someone after they have left the place you're at.
He left an hour ago and I'll be FOLLOWING ON soon.
- 2In cricket, if the second team to bat doesn't score enough runs, it has to bat again.
They were over 200 runs behind and had to FOLLOW ON.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “follow on”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb follow on is to leave a place to meet someone after they have already left. It is often used when someone is going to join another person or group at a different location.
What are the different verb forms of “follow on”?
| Root Verb | follow on |
| Third Person Singular Present | follows on |
| Present Participle | following on |
| Simple Past | followed on |
| Past Participle | followed on |
Example
I will follow on after I finish my work.
Example
She follows on after her friends leave the party.
Example
He is following on after his colleagues to the conference.
Example
Yesterday, they followed on after the tour group left the museum.
Example
The rest of the team followed on after the first group left for the meeting.
What kind of phrasal verb is “follow on”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“follow on” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
I will follow on after you leave.
Example
She followed on after her friends.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“follow on” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I will follow on after you leave.
Example
She followed on after her friends.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “follow on”?
Follow on* in cricket refers to when the second team to bat doesn't score enough runs and has to bat again.
Example
They were over 200 runs behind and had to follow on.
Good things to know
Does “follow on” have an informal or formal tone?
Follow on is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
