The spelling of the phrase "follow on" can be confusing due to the combination of two similar sounding words. Phonetically, it is pronounced as /ˈfɒləʊ ɒn/. The first word "follow" has a short "o" sound followed by the "w" and "l" consonants. The second word "on" has a short "o" sound followed by the "n" consonant. Together, "follow on" means to continue an action or topic from a previous instance. It's important to note the correct spelling to avoid any misinterpretation or confusion.
Follow on, as a phrasal verb, is used to describe a subsequent action or event that occurs after a previous one, often related or dependent on it. It generally signifies a continuous or ongoing activity rather than a standalone action. More specifically, it refers to a successive course of action, an extension or continuation, or a subsequent development that follows from an initial action or situation.
In business or finance contexts, a "follow on" offering refers to the issuance of additional securities by a company that has previously gone through an initial public offering (IPO). This allows the company to raise further capital by offering more shares to the public or existing shareholders after its debut on the stock market.
In social media, "follow on" refers to a user deciding to subscribe to or follow another user's content after first encountering it. This action shows an interest in the ongoing content produced by the followed user, indicating an intention to keep up-to-date with their updates and posts.
Overall, the term "follow on" denotes a subsequent step, event, or action that occurs as a result or extension of a previous one. These subsequent actions or events can vary across various domains such as business, finance, social media, and more.
The term "follow on" originated as a compound verb phrase in English, consisting of the words "follow" and "on".
The word "follow" dates back to Old English as "folgian" and is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "fulgōną". This word shares a common root with the Old High German "folgōn", the Middle Dutch "volghen", and the Old Norse "fylgja", meaning "to follow" or "to pursue".
The word "on" comes from Old English "on", which has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "ana", meaning "in, on, or upon". It is similar to the Old Saxon "ana", Old Frisian "ena", and Old High German "ana".
When combined, "follow on" suggests the action of pursuing or continuing after something or someone.