What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
follow
Example
I will follow you to the store. [follow: verb]
Example
Please follow the instructions carefully. [follow: verb]
Example
I like to follow the latest fashion trends. [follow: verb]
trail
Example
The detective trailed the suspect through the city. [trailed: past tense]
Example
We went hiking on a beautiful trail in the mountains. [trail: noun]
Example
The car left a trail of smoke behind it. [trail: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Follow is more commonly used than trail in everyday language. Follow is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while trail is less common and often associated with specific activities such as hiking or tracking.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between follow and trail?
Both follow and trail can be used in various formality levels, allowing them to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
