abided by

USAGE SUMMARY

"abided by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone adhering to a particular rule or law. For example, "He abided by the speed limit while driving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I've abided by that.

The Guardian - Tech

We've abided by that promise".

The New York Times

Tisch has abided by the same philosophy.

The New York Times - Sports

He abided by the Hippocratic oath.

The Guardian

Chris dutifully abided by my decision.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The mayor abided by that agreement.

The New York Times

But everybody abided by the rules".

The New York Times - Sports

Obama abided by the local way of doing things.

The New Yorker

The unspoken rules were clear, and I abided by them.

The New York Times

David Nutt abided by his code of practice.

The Guardian

Ms. Lee appears to have abided by the Cuomo family's code of discretion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abided by", ensure the subject clearly understands and accepts the rule or agreement they are following.

Common error

Avoid replacing "by" with other prepositions. "Abided to" or "abided with" are grammatically incorrect and should not be used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abided by" functions as a verb phrase indicating compliance or adherence to a rule, law, agreement, or standard. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abided by" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate compliance or adherence to rules, laws, or agreements. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. It's most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While alternatives like "complied with" or "adhered to" exist, "abided by" offers a versatile and widely accepted way to express adherence to standards. Remember to use the correct preposition "by" to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complied with

Indicates adherence to a specific rule or request, similar to "abided by" but can imply a more formal or mandatory compliance.

adhered to

Implies a close and consistent following of a principle or guideline, slightly more formal than "abided by".

followed

A more general term for keeping to a set of rules or guidelines. Less formal than "abided by".

obeyed

Suggests a more direct and authoritative command being followed. Can imply a sense of duty or obligation.

conformed to

Highlights the act of aligning with established standards or norms, often in a social or regulatory context.

respected

Indicates that rules or customs were acknowledged and followed, often implying a sense of deference or value.

upheld

Suggests maintaining and defending a principle or standard through one's actions.

observed

Emphasizes the act of carefully following and respecting rules or customs.

stuck to

Implies a determined and unwavering adherence to a plan or agreement, more informal than "abided by".

kept to

Similar to "stuck to", but can also refer to maintaining a promise or commitment.

FAQs

How do you use "abided by" in a sentence?

Use "abided by" to indicate that someone followed or complied with a rule, law, agreement, or decision. For example, "The company "abided by" the terms of the contract".

What can I say instead of "abided by"?

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

Is it correct to say "abided to" instead of "abided by"?

No, "abided to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""abided by"", which means to follow or comply with.

What's the difference between "abided by" and "complied with"?

While both phrases indicate adherence to something, ""abided by"" can imply a more voluntary acceptance, whereas ""complied with"" often suggests a more mandatory or enforced adherence.