följa

Följa is a Swedish verb meaning to go after, to come after, to accompany, or to follow in a non-literal sense, such as following rules, a plan, or a storyline. It can describe physical pursuit, accompaniment, or adherence to instructions and sequences.

Etymology and cognates: The verb derives from Old Norse fylgja and is closely related to the Danish fölge and the Norwegian følgje/følge. The development across the Scandinavian languages yields similar meanings centered on pursuing, accompanying, or adhering to something.

Conjugation and forms: The infinitive is följa. Present tense is följer; the past tense is följde; the supine is följt. The imperative is följ. The present passive is följs, and the past passive is följdes. The perfect passive forms use the supine with have, as in har följt. A common noun form is följd, meaning sequence or order, and följare means a follower.

Usage: Följa is versatile and used with various complements and in phrasal verbs. Examples include att följa någon (to follow someone), att följa med (to come along), followed by det, att följa efter (to follow behind), and att följa upp (to follow up). It can describe physical following, adherence to rules or a plan, or following a narrative or course of events.

See also: The related noun forms följd (sequence), följare (follower), and common phrases such as följa lagar, följa regler, and följa en väg. The verb’s flexibility in idioms makes it a core part of everyday Swedish.