Is the expression "follow after", e.g; "He followed after her", grammatically incorrect or an awkward phrasing?
I use the phrase "follow after" to put an emphasis on the action, it also gives me a subtle impression of dependence, as if, the subject is following the other person either very closely or is "following at the heels" of that person, and if they had lingered in the previous room, for instance, they'd run to catch that person.
I have googled my issue, and found one site (wordreference.com) with a thread on this and with various answers. I'm also guessing that the answer technically lies in the definition of "follow". However, I kept seeing this phrase used several times in different books, and I have been using it myself.
I have seen that it might be:
- Sloppy English. Yet numerous works seem to use it? I wouldn't have picked up on it, otherwise.
- Might indicate tagging along
- Might imply following someone without their knowledge.
As you can see, I've interpreted this phrase completely differently. I have also seen that "follow" is a statement of sequence in space or time and follow after is a statement of volition, of active pursuit (which contradicts with the statement that it implies following someone without their knowledge).
Could you guys offer some clarifications and a final say on what follow/follow after actually mean/imply?
Best Answer
I think they have two meanings — one literal and the other metaphorical.
He followed her means he was behind her in walking or in life.
He followed after her means he followed her in walking literally and idiomatically it means took over charge from her, succeeded, superseded, or replaced her in a position .
Follow after is found in the King James version of the Bible.
Here is a Link
https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/to-follow-after.354651/
Here is a link which helps you know the difference.
https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/follow%20after