act in line

USAGE SUMMARY

"act in line" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal expression meaning to do something that is required, expected, accepted, or approved. For example: "We expect all of our employees to act in line with company policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Many nonetheless continue to act in line with their stereotypes.

The Guardian

Now about the apostles and prophets, act in line with the gospel precept.

Yale University

It's above everything and we will act in line with it".

The Guardian

It is a lawful, peaceful, diplomatic act in line with past U.N. resolutions and international law.

The New York Times

An appeal is with Scottish ministers, who are likely to act in line with their pro-green energy policies.

The Guardian

Online forums detail appropriate clothing, what to say and how to act in line in order to get in.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Vucic said Serbia acted in line with good cooperation it has with the United States.

The Guardian

He told Four Corners he acted in line with his obligations as former trade minister.

The Guardian

The investigation found that the Israeli security forces had acted in line with regulations, according to Israeli officials.

The New York Times

TP, Lincolnshire A | Simplyhealth insists it has acted in line with its obligations under your former employer's policy.

Independent

In relocating priests under suspicion of abuse, sometimes after psychiatric evaluations, Bishop Egan acted in line with his predecessor, Bishop Walter Curtis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "act in line", ensure the context clearly specifies what standards, rules, or expectations are being followed. For example, specify "act in line with company policy" or "act in line with legal requirements."

Common error

Avoid using "act in line" without clearly stating what the subject should be aligning with. Saying "they must act in line" is vague. Instead, specify "they must act in line with ethical guidelines" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act in line" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a manner of behavior or operation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes doing something that aligns with expectations, requirements, or accepted standards. Its function is to describe adherence to a specific set of rules or guidelines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act in line" signifies behaving or operating in accordance with a set of rules, principles, or expectations. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. With a high expert rating, this expression is commonly found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" settings, denoting compliance and adherence to guidelines. Alternatives like "comply with" or "conform to" offer similar meanings with slight differences in formality. When employing "act in line", it's important to clearly specify what standards or expectations are being followed to avoid vagueness. This ensures effective communication and maintains clarity in expressing adherence to established norms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act in accordance with

A more formal and explicit version of the original phrase.

comply with

This alternative focuses on adhering to rules or regulations.

conform to

This suggests aligning with a standard or norm.

adhere to

Similar to 'comply with', but can also apply to principles or beliefs.

abide by

Implies accepting and following a set of rules or guidelines.

follow

A general term for adhering to instructions or a path.

behave according to

Highlights the manner of conduct as being in agreement with something.

conduct oneself in accordance with

A more formal version of 'behave according to'.

operate within the bounds of

Focuses on staying within the limits of acceptable behavior.

toe the line

Idiomatic expression suggesting strict adherence to rules, potentially under pressure.

FAQs

What does "act in line" mean?

"Act in line" means to behave or operate in accordance with a specific set of rules, principles, or expectations. It implies conformity and adherence to established guidelines.

How can I use "act in line" in a sentence?

You can use "act in line" by specifying what the subject is conforming to. For example, "Employees are expected to "act in line" with company regulations" or "The government should "act in line" with the constitution".

What are some alternatives to "act in line"?

Alternatives to "act in line" include "comply with", "conform to", "adhere to", "abide by", or "act in accordance with" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "act in line with" or "act in accordance with"?

Both phrases are correct, but "act in accordance with" is more formal. "Act in line with" is generally suitable for everyday communication, while ""act in accordance with"" is better suited for formal or legal contexts.