Cool MateChasing vs Following
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Chasing
Top 2,000 (common)
Following
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Most common: Following
| Chasing | Following | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɑːləʊɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Running after someone or something. | To come after something or someone. |
| Example | The dog is chasing its tail. | Answer the following questions. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | chasing a dream, chasing someone, chasing after, chasing a goal | following instructions, following someone, following a trend |
| Antonyms | ignoring, avoiding, fleeing | preceding, leading |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'chase' as a noun instead of a verb., 'Chasing' is often inaccurately used with 'for' instead of 'after'., Incorrectly using 'chasing' in the past without context. | Confused with 'preceeding' - using 'following' incorrectly to describe something that comes before., Using 'follow' instead of 'following' in adjective form. |
| Usage notes | Usually implies a sense of urgency or pursuit. Avoid in formal writing. Use in both spoken and written contexts. | Use 'following' to indicate something that comes next in time or order. It's appropriate in various contexts, including writing and conversation, but avoid using it in overly casual settings when referring to people. |
Frequently asked questions: Chasing vs Following
What's the difference between Chasing and Following?
Chasing: Running after someone or something. Following: To come after something or someone.
Which is more common: Chasing and Following?
Following is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Chasing: The dog is chasing its tail. Following: Answer the following questions.
Can I use Chasing and Following interchangeably?
Not always. Chasing and Following are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.