I complied with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I complied with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that you followed or adhered to a request, rule, or guideline. Example: "I complied with the company's safety regulations during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"I complied with those laws".

The New York Times

Faced with the prospect of losing the interview, I complied with Lyndsey's stipulations.

The New Yorker

WHEN I was planning Thanksgiving dinner this year I complied with the family's request for apple pie.

The New York Times

I complied with his instructions, tossing my papers onto lawns at all hours and dodging any customers who tried to complain.

The New Yorker

In 1993, The New York Times printed my statement containing the details of how I complied with all laws and regulations in employing Ms. Lucas.

The New York Times

It was on the back of these broken promises for justice that, in July 2009, I complied with the commission's recommendations and handed over the sealed envelope to the I.C.C. prosecutor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"I comply with all of the rules.

The Guardian

Ought I comply with this request?

The New York Times - Magazine

"I comply with all of the rules," Cormann said.

The Guardian

I comply with their requests but for some reason, I become almost unable to speak.

The Guardian

"Roger, although you are only a 0.004% shareholder, you have extraordinary power as chairman, derived from the Fairfax Media Board Governance Principles FMBGPP) you insisted that I comply with.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scenarios where the compliance led to a positive outcome or prevented a negative one, briefly stating the result can add weight to your statement. For example, "I complied with the evacuation order, which helped ensure my safety during the hurricane."

Common error

While "I complied with" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I followed" or "I obeyed" when speaking informally to avoid sounding stiff or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I complied with" functions as a statement of adherence or obedience. It indicates that the speaker followed a specific rule, request, or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms this through examples where the phrase is used in contexts involving laws, regulations, and requests.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I complied with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate adherence to a rule, request, or law. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, while applicable in various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media, science and formal business settings. When considering alternatives, options like "I obeyed" or "I followed" can offer simpler ways to convey the same meaning, particularly in informal settings. When using "I complied with" you clearly want to state you have been following a rule, law or request. It's really that simple!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I obeyed

Direct synonym, replacing the formal "complied with" with a more common verb.

I followed

Indicates adherence to instructions or guidelines, similar to compliance.

I adhered to

More formal alternative, emphasizing strict adherence to rules or principles.

I acted in accordance with

Formal and precise, highlighting alignment with specified regulations or standards.

I conformed to

Implies adapting one's behavior or actions to match requirements.

I fulfilled

Suggests satisfying a requirement or expectation, broader than simple compliance.

I respected

Focuses on honoring a request, law, or another's authority, changing the emphasis slightly.

I deferred to

Indicates submitting to another's judgment or authority, showing a degree of yielding.

I heeded

Implies paying attention to and acting upon advice or warnings, narrower in application.

I observed

Suggests watching and following rules or customs, slightly different in nuance.

FAQs

What does "I complied with" mean?

The phrase "I complied with" means that you followed a rule, order, or request. It suggests adherence to specific instructions or regulations.

What can I say instead of "I complied with"?

You can use alternatives like "I obeyed", "I followed", or "I adhered to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I complied to" instead of "I complied with"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "complied" is "with". Saying "I complied to" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "I complied with".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I complied with"?

The phrase "I complied with" is appropriate in formal situations where you want to emphasize that you specifically followed a rule, law, or request. It's often used in official reports, legal documents, or business communications.