abide by the directive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abide by the directive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of following or complying with a specific instruction or guideline. Example: "All employees are required to abide by the directive issued by management regarding workplace safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In his letter, Mr. Markey said the May 26 directive had "become more of a meaningless paperwork exercise than an attempt to abide by the directive and eliminate surface applications of chemical dispersants".

The New York Times - Science

In Mosul, an IS announcement in August demanded that all women cover themselves from head-to-toe, threatening severe punishment for those who do not abide by the directive.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Vanessa and her boyfriend were still dating, so neither abided by the directive.

Huffington Post

If a person with a DNR order undergoes a respiratory or cardiac arrest, doctors and caregivers must abide by the directive, and the individual is likely to die.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The attending physician must abide by the patient's advance directives except in three situations: there is a life-threatening emergency; the directives are manifestly inappropriate; the directives are not compatible with the patient's medical condition.

Revue Neurologique

EEA members are required to abide by EU directives, but due to the inferior rights offered by the EEA system, they have no say in what they are.

The Guardian

The experimental protocol was reviewed and approved under the number 0964 by the Animal Care Committee of VetAgro Sup, which abides by the requirements of the directive 86/609 of the European Community Council.

BMC Genomics

I think the information covered by the directive is the essence of the directive.

EU Parlament

The department's Office of Sciences, a key funder of research, loses $900 million and must abide by new directives to limit research into energy efficiency, renewables, nuclear energy, electrical grid technology and fossil fuels to "early-stage applied energy research and development activities where the Federal role is stronger".

Huffington Post

"We abide by the international laws".

The Guardian

But we abide by the law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abide by the directive", ensure the context clearly defines what the directive is and from whom it originates for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "abide by the directive" when referring to suggestions or recommendations. This phrase implies a mandatory obligation, not a voluntary action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abide by the directive" functions as a phrasal verb ("abide by") followed by a prepositional phrase ("the directive"). It indicates the act of following or complying with a specific instruction or guideline, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abide by the directive" signifies compliance with a specific instruction or guideline. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts. While relatively rare in overall usage, it finds prominence in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedia sources. Alternatives include "comply with the directive" and "follow the directive". When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the directive's source and scope to avoid misinterpretations. Although less common than many similar phrases, its precise meaning makes it a valuable tool in scenarios where adherence to instructions is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comply with the directive

Replaces "abide by" with "comply with", which has a similar meaning of following instructions.

follow the directive

Uses "follow" instead of "abide by", providing a more straightforward alternative.

adhere to the directive

Substitutes "abide by" with "adhere to", emphasizing a strict and unwavering compliance.

conform to the directive

Emphasizes aligning one's actions with the specified directive.

respect the directive

Implies acknowledging and following the directive out of respect for authority.

observe the directive

Suggests carefully watching and following the directive.

act in accordance with the directive

Rephrases to highlight acting in agreement or compliance with the directive.

be guided by the directive

Suggests using the directive as a guiding principle for actions.

be subject to the directive

Indicates that one's actions are controlled or influenced by the directive.

implement the directive

Focuses on the act of putting the directive into effect or action.

FAQs

What does "abide by the directive" mean?

The phrase "abide by the directive" means to comply with, follow, and adhere to a specific instruction, rule, or guideline issued by an authority.

What can I say instead of "abide by the directive"?

You can use alternatives like "comply with the directive", "follow the directive", or "adhere to the directive" depending on the context.

Is "abide by the directive" formal or informal?

"Abide by the directive" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional, legal, or official communications.

How to use "abide by the directive" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "All employees must "abide by the directive" issued by the CEO regarding the new safety protocols."