abide

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "abide" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is obeying a rule, law, or command, or when you want to say that someone is waiting for or enduring something patiently. Example Sentence: She decided to abide by the law and turn herself in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The UK Network for Mindfulness-Based Teachers has produced good practice guidelines that all MBCT teachers should abide by.

The Guardian

Moody's predicted political instability in the Netherlands for the rest of 2012, and also warned that the collapse of Mark Rutte's government also threatens Europe's drive for closer, tighter, fiscal unity: As one of the euro area's main proponents of rules-based fiscal discipline and monitoring, a Dutch failure to abide by these rules could weaken proposed euro area rules at their birth.

The Guardian - Business

If it's the laws that are unjust, or the actions of authority figures or police, it makes sense to address them with civil disobedience – declining to abide within an unfair system.

The Guardian - Opinion

I love a nice frock as much as the next woman, but I am also concerned that the industry often operates in a moral vacuum, arrogantly isolating itself from social mores and moral codes by which the rest of us are not only expected to live but are actually perfectly happy to abide by.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Irish finance minister, Michael Noonan, reportedly said: "I think everybody should pay what's due and abide by the rules in Europe but I have no objection to the British government settling their account by way of instalment over 2015.

The Guardian

Having said they would abide by the UN court's ruling in March, Japanese officials are poised to submit a revised programme to the IWC's scientific committee in November.

The Guardian

Their predilection for nocturnal lifestyles and partying can cause friction with those who have to abide by the more traditional nine-to-five working day.

The Guardian - Money

A: A user can be reinstated if the moderation team are confident that he or she understands the cause of their suspension, agrees to abide by the site's community standards and will be able to contribute reasonably and sociably to the conversation in future.

The Guardian

Reforming the Human Rights Act 1998 will not affect the government's obligation under article 46 of the convention to "abide by the final decision of the court in any case to which they are parties".

The Guardian

After the MEN intervened, Thorntons apologised, saying: "The Company does abide by copyright laws but these were not applicable in this case".

The Guardian

Because despite protestations from the Irish church and Rome that they had changed, that new guidelines on child protection were being adhered to, the clerical authorities were still behaving as if it was the old days when they dealt with this sort of things behind closed doors, away from the rigours of the laws everyone has to abide by.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abide" to indicate a formal commitment to follow rules, laws, or agreements. It suggests a conscious decision to adhere to specific guidelines.

Common error

Avoid using "abide" in very informal situations where simpler words like "follow" or "stick to" would be more appropriate. "Abide" carries a level of formality that might sound out of place in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "abide" is as an intransitive verb, often used with the preposition "by" to indicate compliance or adherence to a rule or agreement. Ludwig AI states the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "abide" functions primarily as a verb, expressing compliance or adherence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in written English. It is particularly prevalent in news and formal business contexts. When using "abide", ensure it aligns with the formal tone, and consider alternatives like "comply with" or "adhere to" for variety. Remember, "abide by" signifies following rules, while "tolerate" implies enduring something, ensuring precise communication. With a high source quality score of 89, "abide" stands as a reliable term for formal commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comply with

Focuses specifically on adhering to rules or regulations.

adhere to

Similar to comply, but can also suggest sticking to principles or beliefs.

conform to

Emphasizes aligning with established standards or norms.

obey

Directly implies following commands or instructions.

uphold

Suggests actively supporting and maintaining a rule or principle.

respect

Implies showing consideration for laws, rules or customs.

tolerate

Focuses on enduring something without complaint.

put up with

An informal way to express enduring something unpleasant.

stand by

Suggests remaining loyal or supportive, especially in difficult situations.

live by

Implies making something a guiding principle in one's life.

FAQs

How to use "abide" in a sentence?

You can use "abide" to express agreeing to follow a rule, law, or agreement. For instance, "Citizens must "abide by" the laws of the country".

What can I say instead of "abide"?

Alternatives include "comply with", "adhere to", or "conform to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "abide by" or "abide with"?

"Abide by" is the correct phrasing when referring to following rules or agreements. "Abide with" has a different, less common meaning, related to dwelling or remaining with someone.

What's the difference between "abide" and "tolerate"?

"Abide" typically means to accept and follow, whereas "tolerate" means to endure something unpleasant. For example, you "abide by" traffic laws, but you might "tolerate" a noisy neighbor.