What is the past tense of "follow"?

The past simple of "follow" is "followed". Follow me to the classroom, please.

What is the past participle of "follow"?

The past participle of "follow" is "followed". Use it after have/has/had: "I have followed".

What is a common mistake with "follow"?

Wrong: "She follow her mother to the store.". Correct: "She follows her mother to the store.". Third person singular present tense requires 's' ending on the verb.

How do you pronounce "follow"?

/ˈfɑːloʊ/ — The 'llo' sounds like long 'o'; stress is on first syllable.

Conjugation of "Follow" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage

Q: Is "follow" regular or irregular?

"Follow" is a regular English verb. Both past simple and past participle are formed by adding -ed.

Look up another verb

All 12 Tenses of "Follow"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "follow" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I follow`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I followed`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will follow`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am following`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was following`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be following`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have followed`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had followed`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have followed`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been following`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been following`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been following`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Follow" — Followed

The past simple of "follow" is "followed" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.

The dog followed his owner everywhere around the house. A2

Past Participle of "Follow" — Followed

The past participle of "follow" is "followed" — the same form as the past simple, since "follow" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have followed") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was followed").

The dog followed his owner everywhere around the house. A2

Is "Follow" Regular or Irregular?

"Follow" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "followed". The 3rd-person singular present is "follows" and the gerund/present participle is "following".

Conjugation pattern: regular -ed

How to Pronounce "Follow" and Its Forms

Follow: /ˈfɑːloʊ/ — Stress pattern: Oo

The 'llo' sounds like long 'o'; stress is on first syllable.

Syllable breakdown: fol · low

How to Use "Follow" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use when describing physical movement behind someone or understanding instructions.

S + V + object
S + V + preposition + location

Example Sentences with "Follow" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: If you follow the main road, you will reach the city center. B1
Simple Past: The dog followed his owner everywhere around the house. A2

Common Collocations with "Follow"

follow the rules
follow someone
follow the path
follow directions

When to Use "Follow" vs Similar Verbs

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

pursue — suggests active chase or intentional effort
accompany — emphasizes going together as companions

Antonyms: lead, precede

Common Mistakes with "Follow"

Wrong: She follow often.
Correct: She follows often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).

Origin and Etymology of "Follow"

Old English 'folgian', related to Germanic 'folgen'.

Other Forms of "Follow"

Noun: follower

Conjugation Tables for "Follow"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not follow · He does not follow
Simple past: I did not follow · She did not follow
Present perfect: I have not followed · He has not followed

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you follow? · Does he follow?
Simple past: Did you follow?
Present perfect: Have you followed?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is followed
Simple past passive: It was followed
Present perfect passive: It has been followed

Frequently Asked Questions About "Follow"

Is "follow" regular or irregular?: "follow" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "followed".
What is the past tense of "follow"?: The simple past of "follow" is "followed".
When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "follow"?: Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I follow every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am following right now."