Fallow vs follow

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Grammarist

Fallow and follow are two words that are very close in spelling and pronunciation, but mean two different things. We will examine the definitions of the words fallow and follow, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.

Fallow is an adjective that describes land that is left unplanted for a period of time in order to allow the soil to regain its fertility. Fallow may be used as a noun in order to mean land that is left unplanted for a period of time. Fallow is also used as a verb to mean to leave land unplanted for a period of time. Related words are fallows, fallowed, fallowing. Fallow is sometimes used figuratively to mean something that is not yielding results or a time when results are not yielded. The word fallow is derived from the Old English word fealu which means a tawny color.

Follow means to travel behind someone or something, go after someone or something, to trail or track someone or something. Follow is a transitive verb, which is verb that takes an object. Related words are follows, followed, following, follower. The word follow is derived from the Old English words folgian or fylgian, which mean to pursue, move in the same direction, to come behind.

Examples

Paddy cultivation will be revived on December 1 in 1,200 acre of fallow land in and around Kottayam town, said V.S. Sunil Kumar, Minister for Agriculture, on Tuesday. (The Hindu)

Swidden landscapes, which are left fallow for several years before they are farmed again, are an easy target for governments and “carbon cowboys” looking to profit from Redd, who may sow fast-growing and ecologically harmful commercial plantations in swidden lands. (The Guardian)

Learner drivers in Leicestershire will have to follow a sat nav as part of their practical exam from next month as part of a major overhaul of the driving test. (The Leicester Mercury)

And the DGCA must ensure that airlines follow its mandate on ‘courteous and polite behaviour ’ towards passengers , in its letter and spirit. (The Hindustan Times)