01
nachkommen
to follow later
To follow someone to a place or arrive there later than others.
example
Geht ihr schon mal ins Restaurant, ich komme in zehn Minuten nach.
You go ahead to the restaurant; I'll follow later in ten minutes.
nachkommen
to follow later / comply
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Nachkommen' (to follow later / comply) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'nach-' goes at the end. In a subordinate clause or infinitive, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich komme später zur Feier nach.
I'll follow later to the party.
Auxiliary verb 'sein'
Since 'nachkommen' (to follow later / comply) describes movement or a change, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein'.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist erst eine Stunde später nachgekommen.
She followed later only an hour afterward.
Dative construction
In the meaning 'to fulfill', 'nachkommen' (to comply with) always requires an object in the dative. You comply with 'einer Sache' (something).
EXAMPLE
Bitte kommen Sie unserer Aufforderung umgehend nach.
Please comply with our request immediately.
Usage pattern
In the meaning 'to keep up', 'nachkommen' (to keep up) is very often negated or used with adverbs like 'kaum' (hardly). It often appears with the preposition 'mit' and a dative object.
EXAMPLE
Ich komme mit dem Lesen der E-Mails gar nicht mehr nach.
I can't keep up with reading the emails at all anymore.
Compare with
nachkommen vs folgen
to follow
'folgen' and 'nachkommen' can both mean that someone comes after someone else or does what is expected. With movement, 'folgen' usually means that someone walks directly behind another person. 'nachkommen' often means that someone arrives at the same place later. With rules or duties, the difference is also important: 'einem Rat folgen' (to follow a piece of advice) means to act according to the advice. 'einer Pflicht nachkommen' (to fulfill a duty) means to carry out a duty. Learners may confuse the words because both are connected with 'nach' or 'hinterher' (after / behind). Pay attention to whether it is about directly following behind, arriving later, or fulfilling a duty.
nachkommen
Max kommt später nach, weil er noch einen Termin hat.
Max will follow later because he still has an appointment.
folgen
Die Kinder folgen der Lehrerin leise in den Garten.
The children quietly follow the teacher into the garden.
In real life
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