abide by guidelines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'abide by guidelines' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to indicate that a person or organization is following a set of instructions or rules. For example, "The company has strict policies in place and all staff must abide by guidelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The programme is due to air before next May's general election although a Channel 4 spokeswoman said it would abide by guidelines regarding impartiality.

The Guardian

In his affidavit, Mr. Cohen argued that terrorists used the freedoms of open societies to shield themselves from discovery by investigators, and that the city could no longer afford to abide by guidelines that "place daunting obstacles in our way".

The New York Times

No laws restrict the number of embryos that can be placed in a mother's womb, but fertility doctors generally abide by guidelines that recommend doctors take account of the mother's physical and mental condition and home life.

The New York Times

He added that ideally, they would all have to abide by guidelines set by the accounting and auditing organization and the financial service board to ensure that they followed best practices.

The New York Times

National parks also abide by guidelines of the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, the Clean Water Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Clean Air Act of 1990.

Environmental Management

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We abided by guidelines of National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (Bilthoven, the Netherlands) on animal husbandry and experiments.

Plosone

The collection of dental pulp cells abides by guidelines of the Ethical Committee of the Canton of Zürich, Switzerland, for collection of material for research purposes obtained from discarded and irreversibly anonymized specimens of human origin.

BMC Oral Health

When feeding my son what would be considered the mainstream diet, I had abided by guideline daily amounts (GDAs) and the NHS eatwell plate – the traditional notion of a balanced diet, which includes a "food and drink high in fat and sugar" component.

The Guardian - Opinion

Roughly a dozen other major agencies have agreed to abide by those guidelines.

The New York Times

Doctors on staff have been told to abide by the guidelines or face the consequences.

The New York Times - Health

In Britain, couples seeking donor egg treatment have to abide by strict guidelines when choosing the appropriate donor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for international audiences, clarify which guidelines you're referencing (e.g., "abide by WHO guidelines"). This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "guidelines must be abided by." Prefer active voice: "all staff must "abide by guidelines"." This makes your writing more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abide by guidelines" functions as a directive, instructing or emphasizing the necessity of following specific rules or recommendations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and serves to highlight compliance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abide by guidelines" signifies adherence to a specific set of rules or recommendations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Its primary function is directive, urging compliance and promoting consistency in various contexts, including news and media, science, and formal business settings. While the phrase carries a neutral register, it finds frequent usage in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Remember to clarify the guidelines being referenced when writing for international audiences and to prefer active voice for more direct and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comply with regulations

Focuses specifically on adhering to legally binding rules.

adhere to standards

Emphasizes maintaining a certain level of quality or performance.

follow protocols

Highlights adherence to specific procedures, often in a professional or scientific setting.

respect rules

Suggests acknowledging and acting in accordance with established regulations.

observe stipulations

Underscores fulfilling particular conditions or agreements.

act in accordance with directives

Highlights acting according to formal instructions.

conform to norms

Highlights behaviour that agrees with the standards that a society has.

uphold principles

Emphasizes commitment to moral or ethical standards.

meet specifications

Emphasizes the requested features of the process or product.

toe the line

Suggests strict adherence to a set of rules or a party line, often implying a lack of individual discretion.

FAQs

What does it mean to "abide by guidelines"?

To "abide by guidelines" means to follow a set of rules, recommendations, or instructions. It implies adherence and compliance with established standards or procedures.

How can I use "abide by guidelines" in a sentence?

You can use "abide by guidelines" to describe actions or behaviors that conform to a specific set of rules. For example, "All researchers must "abide by guidelines" for data collection."

What are some alternatives to "abide by guidelines"?

Some alternatives to "abide by guidelines" include "comply with regulations", "adhere to standards", or "follow protocols" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "abide by guidelines" or "follow guidelines"?

"Abide by guidelines" and "follow guidelines" are often interchangeable. "Abide by" suggests a stronger sense of commitment and adherence, while "follow guidelines" is a more general term.