abide by regulations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abide by regulations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of following or complying with established rules or laws. Example: "All employees are required to abide by regulations set forth by the company to ensure a safe working environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I quoted an IPC spokesman yesterday who said that his organisation would abide by regulations (TUPE) that protect the rights of employees when companies change hands.

The Guardian

The proposed package of rules, which has yet to be considered by the House, would force abortion clinics to abide by regulations akin to those required of ambulatory surgical centers.

The New York Times

But Jim Logan, a member of the cemetery's board, said Mrs. Helmsley's lawyers knew the cemetery would abide by regulations that forbid the interring of nonhuman remains at human cemeteries.

The New York Times

Federal Transportation Department officials in Washington initiated a new effort yesterday to get airlines and couriers to abide by regulations intended to keep bombs and hazardous materials off the nation's commercial aircraft.

The New York Times

Drawing on his experiences as a sustainability advocate, he motivated the group by reminding them that people are more likely to abide by regulations if regulatory authorities are credible.

Harvard Business Review

Members had to agree to accept criticism from others in the group, often trenchant, and to abide by regulations drawn up after debates which could go on all night.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Jim Sluzewski, a spokesman for Macy's, said the company abided "by regulations governing credit and collection activities".

The New York Times

But doing everything possible to ensure the new market entrants were taxed and abided by regulations would at least create a level playing field.

Huffington Post

The company transparently sources conflict-free minerals to make the product, abides by regulations and best practices during manufacture, and recycles all electronic waste.

HuffPost

While these so-called compounding pharmacies are not covered by federal drug regulations, as are major drug manufacturers, they must still abide by state regulations governing all pharmacies; they are not "unregulated".

The New York Times

Political will is a most crucial element to regulate and enhance food standards and make food industries abide by the regulations.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about following rules, consider the audience and context. "Abide by regulations" is suitable for formal or legal settings. For general use, consider alternatives such as "follow the rules".

Common error

Avoid using "allude to regulations" when you mean "abide by regulations". "Allude" means to hint at something, while "abide" means to comply with something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abide by regulations" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of complying with or following a set of rules or laws. Ludwig examples showcase this phrase being used to describe requirements for individuals, businesses, and organizations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

30%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abide by regulations" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression indicating compliance with established rules or laws. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "comply with regulations" or "adhere to regulations" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis. Understanding its function and appropriate usage, as well as avoiding common errors, ensures clear and effective communication. Remember to consider the audience and context when using this phrase to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comply with regulations

This alternative uses "comply" instead of "abide", offering a direct synonym with very little change in meaning.

adhere to regulations

Swaps "abide" for "adhere", which emphasizes a stricter and more consistent observance of the regulations.

be compliant with regulations

Changes the structure to use "compliant" as an adjective, focusing on the state of being in compliance.

observe the regulations

Replaces "abide" with "observe", suggesting a more mindful and active compliance.

conform to regulations

Uses "conform" to highlight aligning one's actions to the prescribed regulations, conveying a sense of standardization.

be bound by regulations

Highlights the obligatory nature of following the regulations, indicating a legal or contractual requirement.

follow the rules

This is a simpler, more general alternative that replaces "regulations" with "rules", making it less formal.

respect the regulations

Suggests a level of acknowledgment and consideration for the regulations, in addition to following them.

act in accordance with regulations

This alternative is more verbose but emphasizes that actions are aligned and consistent with the regulations.

uphold the regulations

Implies a more active role in maintaining and supporting the regulations, rather than just following them.

FAQs

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

You can use "abide by regulations" to indicate compliance with rules. For example: "All businesses must "abide by regulations" regarding environmental protection".

What is a more common alternative to "abide by regulations"?

A more common alternative is to "comply with regulations". This phrase carries a similar meaning but may be more familiar to some audiences.

Is it correct to say "adhere to regulations" instead of "abide by regulations"?

Yes, "adhere to regulations" is a correct and suitable alternative. It emphasizes a stricter and more consistent observance of the regulations.

What's the difference between "abide by regulations" and "follow the rules"?

"Abide by regulations" is typically used in formal or legal contexts, while "follow the rules" is a more general and informal way to express compliance.