follow up — to find out more about something or take further action
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to check on something or do something extra after an earlier action, to make sure everything is finished or to get more information.
Say it like a native
Textbook I shall undertake subsequent action regarding your request.
Native I'll follow up on your request.
'Undertake subsequent action' is corporate-stiff; 'follow up on' is the natural verb.
Pattern: follow up (on something) | follow up (with someone)
In use
- I emailed the company last week and plan to follow up if I don't hear back soon.work
- In my last job, I often had to follow up with clients to make sure they were satisfied with our service.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Let me follow up about it next week.
✓ Let me follow up on it next week.
'Follow up ON something' / 'follow up WITH someone'.
Common collocations
follow up— on, with, later, an email
Don't confuse it
Not the same as just 'follow', which means to go after or pay attention to something.