English can be tricky. Some words look similar but mean different things. “Follow up” and “follow-up” are good examples. Many writers mix them up. But using the wrong one can confuse readers.
This article explains their differences. You will learn when to use “follow up” as a verb. You will also see how “follow-up” works as a noun or adjective. Clear examples will help you understand. Plus, we will cover grammar tips, common mistakes, and synonyms. By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use each spelling correctly.
Why Is There Confusion?
Many people confuse “follow up” and “follow-up” because they look almost the same. But their meanings and uses are different. One is a verb. The other is a noun or adjective.
English often changes depending on context. Some words can function as different parts of speech. “Follow up” follows this pattern. Sometimes, it describes an action. Other times, it names a thing or describes another word.
The hyphen makes a difference. It changes how the word functions in a sentence. Without the hyphen, “follow up” is an action. With the hyphen, “follow-up” becomes a noun or adjective. Many writers overlook this rule.
What Does “Follow Up” Mean?
“Follow up” is a phrasal verb. It describes an action. It means to check, continue, or take further steps after something happens.
People use it in different situations. In business, someone might follow up on an email. In healthcare, a doctor might follow up with a patient. In customer service, a company might follow up on complaints.
The phrase is always two words. It changes based on tense. Example:
- Present: I will follow up tomorrow.
- Past: She followed up last week.
- Future: They will follow up next month.
It always needs a subject and an object.
What Does “Follow-Up” Mean?
“Follow-up” is a noun or an adjective. It refers to something that happens after an initial action. The hyphen makes it different from “follow up,” the verb.
As a noun, “follow-up” is a thing or an event. It often means a second meeting, call, or action. Example:
- The manager scheduled a follow-up for next week.
- The patient needs a follow-up with the doctor.
As an adjective, “follow-up” describes another noun. It gives more information about the type of action. Example:
- She sent a follow-up email.
- He had a follow-up interview after the first round.
It never changes based on tense.
What About “Followup” (Without a Space or Hyphen)?
The spelling “followup” (one word) is incorrect in standard English. While some informal sources use it, professional writing always requires either “follow up” (verb) or “follow-up” (noun/adjective).
“Follow Up” or “Follow-Up”: Which One Should You Use?
Choosing between “follow up” and “follow-up” depends on grammar. One is a verb. The other is a noun or adjective. Using the wrong form can change the meaning of a sentence.
A simple trick:
- If it describes an action, use follow up (two words).
- If it names a thing or describes another noun, use follow-up (with a hyphen).
When to Use “Follow Up” (Phrasal Verb)
Use “follow up” when referring to an action. It means to continue, check, or respond. It always follows a subject.
Examples:
- She will follow up after the meeting.
- The doctor followed up with the patient.
- I need to follow up on my application.
It can take different forms based on tense. “Following up” is the present participle. “Followed up” is the past tense.
When to Use “Follow-Up” (Noun & Adjective)
Use “follow-up” when referring to a thing or describing another noun. It stays the same in all tenses.
Examples as a noun:
- We scheduled a follow-up with the client.
- The doctor recommended a follow-up next week.
Examples as an adjective:
- She sent a follow-up message.
- He had a follow-up appointment at the clinic.
Grammatical Clues to Differentiate
- Check the role in the sentence.
- If it’s an action: Use “follow up”.
- If it names something or modifies a noun: Use “follow-up”.
- Look for helping verbs.
- If the phrase follows “will,” “can,” or “should,” it’s usually follow up.
- Example: “She will follow up soon.”
- Replace with a synonym.
- If “check on” or “continue” fits, use follow up.
- If “review” or “additional” fits, use follow-up..
What Are the Best Synonyms for ‘Follow Up’ and ‘Follow-Up’?
Synonyms for “Follow Up” (Phrasal Verb)
“Follow up” is an action. Its synonyms should express checking, continuing, or responding after an initial event.
- Pursue – To actively continue an effort or task.
- Check in on – To verify progress or status.
- Monitor – To keep track of changes or developments.
- Continue – To persist with an action after starting.
- Revisit – To return to a subject or issue.
- Review – To reassess or analyze something.
- Follow through – To complete what was started.
- Take further action – To proceed with additional steps.
- Reach out – To contact someone after an initial conversation.
Synonyms for “Follow-Up” (Noun & Adjective)
“Follow-up” is a noun or adjective that refers to an event or action that happens after an initial one.
- Continuation – An action or event that extends a previous effort.
- Subsequent action – A second step after an initial effort.
- Revisit – A further look into a topic or issue.
- Recap – A summary or review of what has happened.
- Review – An inspection or evaluation done afterward.
- Feedback – A response or assessment following an action.
- Update – New information shared after an initial event.
- Next step – The following action in a process.
- Check-in – A brief review or meeting after an event.
- Follow-through – Completing an action after the first step.
Examples in Context
Using “follow up” and “follow-up” correctly in real sentences helps reinforce their proper use. Below are ten examples for each form, covering different scenarios.
Examples of “Follow Up” (Phrasal Verb) in Sentences
- I will follow up with the client tomorrow to confirm the order.
- She needs to follow up on her job application before the deadline.
- The doctor advised me to follow up if my symptoms do not improve.
- He forgot to follow up after the meeting, so the issue remained unresolved.
- Please follow up with the supplier to check the shipment status.
- The journalist will follow up on the story with more research.
- Can you follow up on my request for a refund?
- We should follow up with a thank-you email after the event.
- The lawyer will follow up on the legal documents next week.
- I always follow up with customers to ensure they are satisfied.
Examples of “Follow-Up” (Noun & Adjective) in Sentences
- The manager scheduled a follow-up to discuss the sales report. (Noun)
- I have a follow-up appointment with my dentist next Monday. (Adjective)
- Our team will conduct a follow-up meeting to finalize the project details. (Adjective)
- The company offers a follow-up call to check customer satisfaction. (Adjective)
- After the first interview, the candidate was invited for a follow-up. (Noun)
- The doctor recommended a follow-up visit to monitor my condition. (Adjective)
- The marketing team planned a follow-up campaign to boost engagement. (Adjective)
- A follow-up survey helps companies gather customer feedback. (Adjective)
- She received a follow-up email with additional instructions. (Adjective)
- His treatment plan includes a follow-up in two weeks. (Noun)
Each example clearly shows the difference between the phrasal verb “follow up” (two words) and the noun/adjective “follow-up” (hyphenated).
What Are the Most Common Mistakes and How Can You Avoid Them?
Many writers misuse “follow up” and “follow-up” because they look similar. Small mistakes can change the meaning of a sentence. Below are common errors and tips to correct them.
1. Using “Follow-Up” Instead of “Follow Up” in a Verb Form
Incorrect: I will follow-up with you tomorrow.
Correct: I will follow up with you tomorrow.
Why? “Follow-up” is not a verb. The correct verb form is “follow up” (two words).
2. Using “Follow Up” Instead of “Follow-Up” as a Noun or Adjective
Incorrect: The doctor scheduled a follow up for next week.
Correct: The doctor scheduled a follow-up for next week.
Why? When used as a noun, “follow-up” needs a hyphen.
3. Forgetting the Hyphen in an Adjective
Incorrect: She sent a follow up email after the meeting.
Correct: She sent a follow-up email after the meeting.
Why? Adjectives before a noun require the hyphen. “Follow-up” describes the email.
4. Using the Wrong Tense in the Verb Form
Incorrect: He follow ups with clients every week.
Correct: He follows up with clients every week.
Why? “Follow up” changes based on tense. “Follows up” is correct in the present tense.
5. Using “Follow Up” Incorrectly in a Question
Incorrect: Can you follow-up with the supplier?
Correct: Can you follow up with the supplier?
Why? The verb form never has a hyphen.
6. Misplacing the Object in a Sentence
Incorrect: He followed up the issue with the manager.
Correct: He followed up on the issue with the manager.
Why? “Follow up” as a verb often needs “on” before the object.
7. Overusing the Term in a Single Sentence
Incorrect: We need to follow-up on the follow up from our last follow up.
Correct: We need to follow up on the previous follow-up.
Why? Avoid repeating “follow up” multiple times. It makes sentences confusing.
8. Using “Follow-Up” Alone as an Adjective Without a Noun
Incorrect: We will do a follow-up tomorrow. (unclear if noun or adjective)
Correct: We will do a follow-up call tomorrow. (adjective + noun)
Why? Adjectives must describe a noun. “Follow-up” cannot stand alone in this case.
9. Writing “Following Up” Instead of “Follow-Up” as a Noun
Incorrect: He scheduled a following up with the team.
Correct: He scheduled a follow-up with the team.
Why? “Following up” is a verb phrase, not a noun.
10. Mixing British and American English Hyphenation Rules
Incorrect (British English): I arranged a followup appointment. (American spelling needed a hyphen)
Correct (British English): I arranged a follow-up appointment.
Why? Some styles in American English avoid the hyphen, but British English keeps it. Always check the preferred style.
How to Avoid These Mistakes?
- Identify the role of the word in the sentence: verb, noun, or adjective.
- Check for a helping verb before “follow up” (e.g., “will follow up”).
- Remember the hyphen when using it as a noun or adjective.
- Read sentences aloud to see if they make sense.
- Use grammar tools like Grammarly to double-check usage.
Etymology of “Follow Up” and “Follow-Up”
Words change over time. Their meanings and spellings evolve as languages develop. “Follow up” and “follow-up” are no exceptions. Understanding their origins helps explain their correct usage today.
Etymology of “Follow Up” (Phrasal Verb)
The verb “follow up” comes from Old English. “Follow” comes from “folgian”, meaning “to go after” or “pursue.” It was first recorded in Middle English (1100s-1400s) with similar meanings.
The combination of “follow” + “up” appeared in the 1600s. At first, it meant “to pursue closely.” Later, it took on the modern meaning of continuing an action or checking on something.
Early written examples show this evolution:
- 1680s: “He did follow up his inquiries.” (Pursue further inquiries)
- 1800s: “Doctors must follow up on patients.” (Continue care after treatment)
By the 20th century, “follow up” became standard in both spoken and written English, especially in business, medical, and investigative contexts.
Etymology of “Follow-Up” (Noun & Adjective)
The noun “follow-up” appeared much later. It developed in the early 1900s, likely as a way to name the result of “following up” on something.
The first recorded uses were in medical and journalism fields:
- 1910s: “The patient requires a follow-up.” (Medical check-up after treatment)
- 1920s: “A follow-up article was published.” (A second news report continuing a story)
By the mid-20th century, “follow-up” also became an adjective:
- 1950s: “A follow-up meeting was scheduled.” (A secondary meeting after the first one)
The hyphen was introduced to prevent confusion. Since “follow up” (verb) was already in use, the hyphen helped differentiate the noun and adjective form.
Best Practices for Using “Follow Up” and “Follow-Up” in Writing
Using the correct form of “follow up” and “follow-up” improves clarity and professionalism. Mistakes can confuse readers, especially in formal writing. These best practices ensure proper usage in different contexts.
1. Identify the Role in the Sentence
Determine whether the word functions as an action (verb) or a thing (noun/adjective).
- If it describes an action, use follow up (verb).
- If it refers to a thing or describes another word, use follow-up (noun/adjective).
Example:
- Correct: “I need to follow up with the client.” (Verb)
- Correct: “The doctor scheduled a follow-up appointment.” (Adjective)
2. Use Helping Verbs to Identify the Verb Form
“Follow up” (verb) often appears after words like will, should, can, or must. This confirms it’s the correct form.
Example:
- Correct: “She will follow up on the request.”
- Incorrect: “She will follow-up on the request.” (Follow-up is not a verb.)
3. Always Use a Hyphen for Nouns and Adjectives
When using “follow-up” as a noun or adjective, include the hyphen to avoid confusion.
Example:
- Correct: “The company sent a follow-up email.” (Adjective)
- Incorrect: “The company sent a follow up email.” (Missing hyphen.)
4. Avoid Overusing the Term in One Paragraph
Repeating “follow up” or “follow-up” too many times makes writing sound awkward. Use synonyms where possible to improve readability.
Example:
- Incorrect: “I will follow up after our last follow-up to check on the follow-up process.”
- Correct: “I will follow up after our previous discussion to check on the next steps.”
5. Adjust Based on Audience Understanding
Not all readers easily recognize the difference between “follow up” and “follow-up.” In professional documents and emails, ensure the meaning is clear.
Example:
- Instead of: “Schedule a follow-up.”
- Better: “Schedule a follow-up appointment with the client.”
6. Double-Check Usage in Headlines and Titles
Writers often forget the hyphen in “follow-up” when used in headings. This can look unprofessional.
Example:
- Incorrect: “10 Follow Up Strategies for Business”
- Correct: “10 Follow-Up Strategies for Business Success”
7. Proofread for Common Mistakes Before Sending Emails or Reports
Many writing mistakes happen in emails, business reports, and formal documents. Before sending important messages, re-read the sentence containing “follow up” or “follow-up” to ensure correct usage.
Example Email:
- Incorrect: “I will follow-up with you next week.” (Incorrect hyphenation.)
- Correct: “I will follow up with you next week.” (Correct verb form.)
By following these best practices, you can ensure your writing remains clear, professional, and grammatically correct in every context.
Conclusion
The difference between “follow up” and “follow-up” may seem small, but it plays a big role in clear communication. Using the wrong form can confuse readers and weaken your writing.
“Follow up” is a verb that describes an action, such as checking or continuing something. It never takes a hyphen. Example: “I will follow up with the client tomorrow.”
“Follow-up” is a noun or adjective that refers to a thing or describes another noun. It always includes a hyphen. Example: “The doctor scheduled a follow-up appointment.”
To avoid mistakes, always check whether the phrase is being used as an action or a noun/adjective. Pay attention to grammar rules, use hyphens correctly, and proofread your writing. Mastering this distinction makes your writing more professional, polished, and easy to understand.
Sources & References
Oxford English Dictionary (OED): Follow-Up, Merriam-Webster: Follow-Up Definition & Meaning, Etymonline: Follow-Up | Etymology & Origin