Tenses refer to forms of verbs by which we get to know the actions of various times. Let us explore the usage of “follow’’ in various forms of three tenses.
The term “follow’’ is used in the present, past, and future tense in view of pursuing something. The verb provides us the meanings of the chase, catch, get at, hound, chevy, run after, or adopt. It can be applied in the four forms of three tenses. We also apply it to present our movement or traveling behind.
Now, let us reflect on the more interesting facts related to the usage of “follow” in tenses along with examples and their explanations.
“Follow’’ in the present tense.
A present tense is a verb form that displays being, having, or doing something. Now, we will get to know how the verb “follow” plays its role in the present tense.
We apply the word “follow’’ to display our movement in the same direction or to accept as a guide of the leader, to do the same as someone else.
When can we use “follow’’ in the present tense?
We apply “follow’’ at the time of referring action obedience and accepting the condition. We use the term follow, follows, and following with the required helping verbs.
Sentence structure of “follow’’ in the present tense-
| Type of present tense | How to form a sentence with “follow’’ in the present tense |
| 1. Present indefinite tense/ Simple present tense | a. The subject of the first person singular number/plural number, second person singular number/plural number, third person plural + follow(base form) + object + rest (assertive sentence) b. Subject of the third-person singular number + follows + object + rest (assertive sentence) |
| 2. Present continuous tense/ Present progressive tense | a. The subject of the first person singular number + am following(present participle form) + object + rest of the sentence (assertive sentence) b. Subject of the first person plural number, second person singular/plural, third person plural number + are following (present participle form)+ object + rest of the sentence (assertive sentence) c. The subject of the third person singular number + is following(present participle form) + object + rest (assertive sentence) |
| 3. Present perfect tense | a. The subject of the first person singular number/plural number, second person singular/plural, third person plural number + have followed(past participle form) + object + rest (assertive sentence) b. The subject of the third person singular number + has followed + object + rest (assertive sentence) |
| 4. Present perfect continuous tense/ Present perfect progressive tense | a. The subject of the first person singular number/plural number, second person singular number/plural number, third person plural number + have been following (present participle form)+ object + rest (assertive sentence) b. Subject of the third person singular number + has been following + object (present participle form)+ rest of the sentence (assertive sentence) |
Examples and examples of “follow’’ in the present tense-
| Type of present tense | Example | Explanation |
| 1. Present indefinite tense/ Simple present tense | We follow what the teacher advises us. | Here the base form “follow’’ is used to display that we always adapt the teacher’s advice in a normal sense. Thus it frames a simple present tense. |
| 2. Present continuous tense/ Present progressive tense | The motorbikes are following the bus and vie among themselves. | In this example, the verb “following’’ in its present participle form is in the usage of present progressive tense to give us that the motor car is chasing the bus and competing with each other. |
| 3. Present perfect tense | My eyes have followed the car to the end of the road. | Here the verb “followed’’ is used in the construction of a present perfect tense where it is found my eyes have followed the car before and it still remains at present. |
| 4. Present perfect continuous tense/ Present perfect progressive tense | The candidates have been following the rules of the hall for three hours. | The verb “following’’ is used to display the candidates’ obeying the rules for a period of time thus referring to the usage of a present perfect progressive tense. |
“Follow’’ in the past tense.
Past tense refers to the actions that were completely finished in the previous moments. Now, we will explain how “follow” is used in the past tense.
We definitely apply the verb “follow” in the past tense to refer to the action of obeying certain rules imposed by someone or some authority.
When can we use “follow’’ in the past tense?
The past form “followed’’ is inserted into sentences when we need to mention an action of chasing or adopting something in the past. We must apply followed, or following with required helping verbs.
Sentence structure of “follow’’ in the past tense-
| Type of past tense | How to form a sentence with “follow’’ in the past tense |
| 1. Past indefinite tense/ Simple past tense | a. Subject of all persons and numbers + followed (past form) + object + rest of the sentence(assertive sentence) |
| 2. Past continuous tense/ Past progressive tense | a. The subject of the first person singular number/ third person singular number + was following(present participle form) + object + remaining part of the sentence (assertive sentence) b. The subject of the first person plural number, second person singular number/plural number, third person plural number + were following(present participle form) + object + remaining part of the sentence (assertive sentence) |
| 3. Past perfect tense | a. The subject of all persons and numbers + had followed (past participle form) + object + rest of the sentence(assertive sentence) |
| 4. Past perfect continuous tense/ past progressive tense | a. The subject of all persons and numbers + had been following (present participle form) + object + rest of the sentence(assertive sentence) |
Examples and explanations of “follow’’ in the past tense-
| Type of past tense | Example | Explanation |
| 1. Past indefinite tense/ Simple past tense | The tourists followed us for some distance and they lost sight. | In this sentence, the verb “followed’’ in the past form refers to us the completed action of the tourists who got at us but lost sight. |
| 2. Past continuous tense/ Past progressive tense | The girl was following the man while he was stitching the shirt. | The verb” following’’ in the present participle form refers to a continuous action of the past. We find that the girl was continuing to follow the man while stitching the shirt. |
| 3. Past perfect tense | The shepherd had followed the sheep before they returned from the meadow. | In this scenario, it is obviously seen that the action of chasing the sheep is found before the coming of the sheep from the pasture. |
| 4. Past perfect continuous tense/ Past perfect progressive tense | Kakoli had been following her father for an hour while climbing up the hill. | Here the verb “following’’ assists us to frame an ongoing action of the past for a period of time and forms a sentence in the past progressive tense. |
“Follow’’ in the future tense.
A future is the form of the verb by which we express the actions that come off in the future. Let us check how the verb “follow’’ plays its function in the future tense.
We use the word “follow’’ in the future tense to show the action to go after or on the track. We also can apply it to accept or obey the rules given by someone or some institution.
When do we use “follow’’ in the future tense?
The regular verb “follow’’ along with shall/will is used in the future tense when we need to refer to our gaining something offered to us by someone. We can also use to believe in religion or watch, and listen carefully.
Sentence structure of “follow’’ in the future tense-
| Type of future tense | How to form a sentence with “follow’’ in the future tense |
| 1. Future indefinite tense/ Simple future tense | a. The subject of the first person singular number or plural number + shall follow (base form)+ object + remaining part(assertive sentence) B. The subject of the second person singular number or plural number/ third person singular or plural number + will follow (base form)+ object + remaining part(assertive sentence) |
| 2. Future continuous tense/ Future progressive tense | a. The subject of the first person singular number or plural number + shall be following (present participle form)+ object + remaining part b. The subject of the second person singular number or plural number/ third person singular or plural number + will be following(present participle form) + object + remaining part(assertive sentence) |
| 3. Future perfect tense | a. The subject of the first person singular number or plural number + shall have followed + object + remaining part B. Subject of the second person singular number or plural number/ third person singular or plural number + will have followed + object + remaining part(assertive sentence) |
| 4. Future perfect continuous tense/ Future perfect progressive tense | The subject of the first person singular number or plural number + shall have been following(present participle form) + object + remaining part(assertive sentence) b. The subject of the second person singular number or plural number/ third person singular or plural number + will have been following(present participle form) + object + remaining part(assertive sentence) |
Examples and explanations of “follow’’ in the future tense-
| Type of future tense | Example | Explanation |
| 1. Future indefinite tense/ Simple future tense | Soumya will follow the suggestions that I provide him. | We find out that the verb “follow’’ along with will frames a sentence to display an action of obeying in the future in a normal sense. |
| 2. Future continuous tense/ Future progressive tense | Danish will be following his father’s footprints in every way of his life. | Here the verb” following’’ is applied to frame a sentence in the future progressive that shows the obedience of a boy to his father’s work in the future. |
| 3. Future perfect tense | My daughter will have followed my command of doing the task. | The verb “followed’’ is used to show that my daughter will surely obey my commands to do the task in the future. Thus it forms an example of the future perfect tense. |
| 4. Future perfect continuous tense/ Future perfect progressive tense | Jenn will have been following the safety rules for her whole life while driving cars on the roads. | We have the formation of a future perfect progressive tense because the sentence formation provides us with Jenn’s obeying safety rules for some period in the future. |
Conclusion
After the detailed discussion on the usage of “follow’’ we conclude that with the verb “follow’’ we can frame phrases like “as follows’’, “follow your nose’’, “follow the crowd’’, and “follow on the heels of something, etc. We can also frame phrasal verbs such as “follow up, “follow around’’, “follow on from’’, and so on.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.