In the English language, the term “follow” has a similar meaning to “obey,” although it differs in several ways. To put it another way, the word “follow” has a new meaning. As a result, it has a broader scope than Obey. Obey is a word that has no further meanings. As a result, its application in the English language is restricted. As a result, this term is frequently referred to as a “specialised term.” When it comes to intensity, Obey is more intense than its opponent.
Obey vs Follow
The main difference between Obey and Follow is that The literal meaning of the word “obey” is “to do what you are instructed.” Orders might be general or detailed. Existing orders are particular, while non-specific commands should be followed in general. However, the word ‘follow’ is mostly used as a verb. One of the most popular meanings is to pursue or remain behind something. This term can also be used to describe anything that follows another. Perhaps in the form of a schedule or a to-do list.
Obey is a more binding term than obey. It indicates that if a student is required to obey some orders issued by his or her teacher, principal, or parents, the student must comply with those orders and, if he or she does not, the student must face the consequences in the form of some sort of punishment. Obeying necessitates a greater amount of force and emotion. However, in this case, the person who is being urged to follow does not hold any power.
The term “follow” is more freely employed and has a less constraining connotation. It means that if someone is requested to follow a teacher, colleague, batchmate, friend, leader, or anybody else, it may or may not be in the individual’s best interests to do so. Other times, though, the Individual is required to strictly follow the directions. When a person is required to follow orders, he or she substitutes the directives for guidelines.
Comparison Table Between Obey and Follow
| Parameters of Comparison | Obey | Follow |
| Possession of Meanings | Does not possess more meanings. | Possesses lesser meanings. |
| Degree of intensity | High | Low |
| Voluntary | Less voluntary | More voluntary |
| Binding | More binding | Less binding |
| Choices | Gives fewer choices | Gives more choices |
What is Obey?
Obey is one of those words that has no additional meanings. As a result, its use in the English language is restricted. As a result, this word is frequently referred to as a “specialised word.” When the degree of intensity is taken into account, Obey’s intensity is higher than that of its equivalent. The literal meaning of the word ‘obey’ is to do what you are instructed.
Orders can be general or very specific. There are two types of orders: specific and non-specific. Specific orders are those that are currently in effect, and non-specific orders are those that should be followed in general. Obey is a term that is used less voluntarily and has a stronger connotation.
It indicates that if a student is required to obey some orders issued by his or her teacher, principal, or parents, the student must comply with those orders and, if he or she does not, the student must face the consequences in the form of a penalty.
Obeying necessitates a greater level of force and emotion. The individual who is being requested to comply, on the other hand, is not in a position of power. Either the individual obeying the orders acts as a subordinate, or he genuinely cares about the one who is ordering him.
What is Follow?
Follow is a term in the English language that has a similar meaning to “obey” but differs in several ways. To put it another way, the word “follow” has a deeper connotation. As a result, it has a wider range of applications than Obey. The intensity with which the word Follow is used is less than the intensity with which the phrase Obey is used.
‘Follow’ is primarily and simply used as a verb. One of the most popular meanings is to pursue something or to remain behind it. This term can also refer to something that comes after something else. Perhaps in the form of a schedule or a list. The term “follow” is used more freely and has a less constraining connotation.
It means that if a student is urged to follow his or her instructor, colleague, batchmate, buddy, leader, or anybody else, it may or may not be in the student’s best interests to do so. Other times, though, the Individual is expected to strictly obey the directions.
When a person is told to follow commands, he or she substitutes the orders for guidelines. The individual getting the commands now has more options, such as whether to obey them, ignore them, or follow them in his way.
Main Differences Between Obey and Follow
- Obey is such a word that does not possess more meaning. Thus, its use is limited in the world of the English language. Therefore this word is often regarded as a “specialised word”. On the other hand, Follow is a word in English-language that possesses a similar meaning to “Obey” but still differs from it in various senses. In other words, the word “Follow” possesses more meaning. Thus, its use is less limited than Obey.
- When the degree of intensity is taken into consideration, the intensity with which Obey is used is more intense than the intensity of its counterpart. On the other hand, the intensity with which Follow is used is less intense than the intensity of use of the word, Obey.
- The literal meaning of ‘Obey’ is to accomplish what you are told. The orders can be either non-specific or even specific. Specific are those orders which are existing, and non-specific are those orders which should be obeyed in general. On the other hand, ‘Follow’ is simply and mainly regarded as a verb. One of the common meanings it possesses is to go after something or to stay behind it. This word is also used to define something which comes after something other. Maybe in a schedule or list.
- The word Obey is used less voluntarily, and it is more binding. It means that if a student is asked to obey some orders given by his or her teacher, principal or parents, then the child has to obey it, and in case he or she doesn’t, then the child have to face the consequences in the form of some sort of punishment. On the other hand, the word Follow is used more voluntarily, and it is less binding as well. It means that if someone is asked to follow his or her teacher, colleague, batchmate, friend, leader or anyone else, then sometimes it depends upon the individual’s wish whether to follow them or not. However, other times the Individual is strictly asked to follow the orders as well.
- Obeying involves more forcefulness and emotions attached to it. However, here the person who is asked to obey does not possess any position of power. Either the person obeying the orders act as a subordinate, or he cares a lot about the other person who orders him. On the other hand, when a person is asked to follow the orders, he or she uses the orders as a substitute to guidelines. Here the person receiving the orders possess more choices as to whether to follow them, unfollow them or follow the orders in his way.
Conclusion
Obey is a term with a limited number of definitions. As a result, its use in English is restricted. As a result, it’s frequently referred to as a “specialised word.” When it comes to intensity, Obey outperforms its rival. The literal meaning of the word ‘obey’ is to follow instructions. Orders might be broad or narrow. There are two types of orders: specific and non-specific. Specific orders are those that are currently in effect, and non-specific orders should be followed in general.
Obey is a more binding term that is used less voluntarily. It indicates that if a student is required to obey some orders issued by his or her teacher, principal, or parents, the student must comply with those orders and, if he or she does not, the child must face the consequences in the form of punishment. Obeying necessitates a greater degree of power and emotion. In this case, though, the person who is being requested to obey has no power.
Follow is an English term that has a similar meaning to “obey” but differs in several ways. In other words, “Follow” has a deeper connotation. As a result, it has a broader range of applications than Obey. The intensity with which the word Follow is used is lower than the intensity with which the phrase Obey is used. ‘Follow’ is primarily used as a verb.
One of the most popular meanings is to pursue something or remain behind it. This term can also be used to describe anything that comes after another. Perhaps in a schedule or a list. Follow is a more voluntary term that is also less binding. It means that if a student is urged to follow his or her instructor, colleague, batchmate, buddy, leader, or anybody else, it may or may not be in the student’s best interest to do so.
References
- https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/stflr46§ion=31
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/026119299202000401