Follow Up or Follow-Up: Which Spelling to Use?

When it comes to writing and communication, getting small details like whether to write “follow up” as two words or a hyphenated “follow-up” can be confusing. Whether you’re a student trying to ace your English assignments, a teacher preparing clear lessons, or a professional sending emails, knowing the correct usage makes your writing look sharp and professional.

Many people ask questions like “Is it follow up or follow-up?”, “When do I use the hyphen in follow-up?”, or “What’s the difference between follow up and follow-up?” This confusion is totally normal because English grammar rules about compound words can be tricky, especially for those learning or perfecting the language.

In this article, we’ll clear up the mystery by breaking down the grammar rules, common mistakes, and best practices around follow up vs. follow-up. By the end, you’ll confidently know how to use these terms correctly whether you’re writing essays, emails, or lesson plans.

Why the Confusion Between “Follow Up” and “Follow-Up”?

The confusion mainly comes from the fact that both look similar and sound the same—but they serve different grammatical roles. English is full of compound words (like “check-in” or “pick-up”) that change meaning based on how they’re used. “Follow up” is no different.

Here’s where it gets tricky:

• “Follow up” is usually a verb (an action).
  
• “Follow-up” is a noun or adjective (a thing or description).
  

Most people don’t realize this subtle switch in usage, which leads to inconsistent writing—especially in emails, assignments, and workplace communication.

What Does “Follow Up” Mean? (No Hyphen)

When “follow up” is written without a hyphen, it functions as a verb. That means it’s an action someone takes—like checking in, continuing a conversation, or looking into something again.

Examples of “Follow up” as a verb:

• “I’ll follow up with the teacher tomorrow.”
  
• “She didn’t follow up on the homework correction.”
  
• “Please follow up after the meeting.”

It’s an action word, just like “call,” “email,” or “ask.”

What Does “Follow-Up” Mean? (With Hyphen)

With a hyphen, “follow-up” acts as either a noun (a thing) or an adjective (describing a noun). It’s not about doing something—it’s the thing related to the action.

Examples of “Follow-up” as a noun or adjective:

• “We scheduled a follow-up next week.” (noun)
  
• “He sent a follow-up email.” (adjective)
  
• “The follow-up was necessary for full credit.” (noun)

The hyphen shows it’s not an action, but rather something about the action—like the appointment, message, or event that happens next.

How to Choose: “Follow Up” or “Follow-Up”?

If you’re ever stuck, here’s a simple tip:

Ask yourself: Am I talking about an action or a thing?

• If it’s an action → Use follow up (no hyphen).
  
• If it’s a thing or description → Use follow-up (with hyphen).

Quick Grammar Clues to Help You Decide

Use these grammar tricks to figure out which one fits your sentence.

Ask This	If Yes → Use	If No → Use
Can I replace it with “check back”?	Follow up	Follow-up
Is it happening or being done?	Follow up	Follow-up
Does it describe a noun (email, task)?	Follow-up	Follow up
Can I say “a follow-up” comfortably?	Follow-up	Follow up

Examples in Real Sentences

Let’s look at how both forms work in real-life settings, especially for students, teachers, and professionals.

Correct Use of “Follow up” (Verb):

• “Don’t forget to follow up with your group project partner.”
  
• “The student needs to follow up after missing the quiz.”
  
• “I’ll follow up once I hear from the counselor.”
  

Correct Use of “Follow-up” (Noun/Adjective):

• “She missed the follow-up meeting.”
  
• “The teacher provided a follow-up activity for homework.”
  
• “Let’s set a follow-up call after the job interview.”

Comparison Table: Follow Up vs Follow-Up

Use	Spelling	Part of Speech	Example Sentence
Action (Verb)	Follow up	Verb	“I’ll follow up after class.”
Thing (Noun)	Follow-up	Noun	“He scheduled a follow-up with the student.”
Description	Follow-up	Adjective	“That was a follow-up question on the quiz.”

Synonyms and Alternatives

If you’re unsure or want to vary your wording, use these alternatives.

Alternatives for “Follow up” (Verb):

• Check in
  
• Circle back
  
• Reach out
  
• Revisit
  
• Touch base
  

Alternatives for “Follow-up” (Noun/Adjective):

• Review
  
• Second meeting
  
• Follow-through
  
• Continued action
  
• Callback

Real-World Usage for Students, Teachers, and Professionals

In School

• Teachers send “follow-up assignments” after lessons.
  
• Students may “follow up with their instructor” for extra credit or missed work.
  
• College advisors might set up a “follow-up meeting” to track academic progress.

In the Workplace

• After interviews, applicants send “follow-up emails.”
  
• Teams might “follow up” on project updates.
  
• Managers schedule “follow-up sessions” for evaluations.

In Healthcare

• Doctors recommend “follow-up visits” after treatment.
  
• Patients are asked to “follow up” if symptoms persist.
  

Etymology: Where Do These Terms Come From?

Both forms are derived from the phrase “to follow”, which comes from Old English folgian, meaning “to go after.”

• “Follow up” first appeared in military and business writing in the 1800s as a verb meaning “to pursue or act further.”
  
• The hyphenated “follow-up” was introduced later to clarify usage in writing—especially as business and academic communication became more structured.

Summary: Lock It In

Still wondering if you’re using the right form? Here’s your cheat sheet:

• Follow up (verb) = to take action
  
• Follow-up (noun/adjective) = the thing or description tied to the action

When in doubt, swap it out with a similar word like “check in” or “review.” If it sounds weird, you’re probably using the wrong form.

FAQs: Follow Up vs Follow-Up

Is “Followup” one word?

No. That’s not correct in formal or academic English. Always use “follow up” (verb) or “follow-up” (noun/adjective).

Can I start a sentence with “Follow up”?

Yes, especially if it’s an action:

• “Follow up with your professor tomorrow.”
  

Why does Grammarly flag “follow up”?

Usually, because it’s used in the wrong form. Grammarly looks at how it’s functioning in the sentence. It may suggest adding or removing a hyphen depending on your usage.

Should I capitalize “Follow-Up” in a title?

Only if it’s at the start of a headline or part of a proper noun. Example:

• “Follow-Up Procedures for COVID Testing”
  
• “How to Follow Up on a Job Application”

Which is more formal—‘follow up’ or ‘follow-up’?

They’re equally formal when used correctly. Using the wrong one, however, can look unprofessional, especially in emails or academic work.

Final Tip: Use This Simple Trick

If you’re still unsure, do this:

Try replacing the phrase with a synonym like “check-in” or “review”. If the sentence still works, you’re probably using follow-up correctly.

Example:

• “Let’s schedule a review next week.” ✅ = use “follow-up”
  
• “I’ll check in tomorrow.” ✅ = use “follow up”

Case Study: Student-Teacher Email Example

Here’s a real-world example of how using the right form matters.

Incorrect:

“I will send a follow-up with my question.”

❌ Sounds off because it uses “follow-up” as a verb.

Correct:

“I will follow up with my question.” ✅

 “I have a follow-up question about today’s class.” ✅

In both corrected examples, the form matches the grammar function—making the email sound professional and polished.

Conclusion: Use the Right Form with Confidence

At first glance, “follow up” vs “follow-up” might seem like a small grammar issue—but it makes a big difference in your writing clarity and professional image. Remember this simple rule: use “follow up” as a verb (e.g., I’ll follow up tomorrow), and “follow-up” as a noun or adjective (e.g., a follow-up email or the follow-up meeting).

Whether you’re a student writing essays, a teacher giving feedback, or someone sending out workplace emails, knowing when to use the hyphen gives your writing more precision and confidence. So the next time you wonder, “Is it follow up or follow-up?”, you’ll know exactly how to use it—and sound more polished doing it.