adhere

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adhere" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of sticking to or following rules, guidelines, or principles. Example: "It is important to adhere to the safety protocols established by the organization to ensure everyone's well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This included the military and security forces – though they must in future adhere to human rights standards.

The Guardian - Opinion

His supporters said the former GP and one-time deputy mayor of Belfast wanted to draw up a "fixed programme" to which the SDLP would adhere in order to build it up again.

The Guardian

"The office is monitoring coverage, and whilst the law officers do not think the coverage they have seen requires action for contempt of court, we do urge everyone to read and adhere to the media advisory".

The Guardian

The academics, Alexandra Pitman and Fiona Stevenson, determined that the reviewers had failed to adhere to the recommendations in media guidelines developed by the Samaritans, MediaWise Trust and the former PCC (now Ipso).

The Guardian

But regardless of the atmosphere, you have to adhere to the rules of the agency you represent.

The Guardian

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon welcomed the ceasefire agreement and urged both sides to adhere to it, his chief spokesman said.

The Guardian

The prospect of a British Queen visiting those hallowed sights will inflame further the passions of the unrepresentative but vocal, often violent, minority who adhere to dissident republicanism.

The Guardian

If Israel keeps spreading settlements on the West Bank it's going to be harder to get Middle East peace … You can't brand such positions as bigotry because former Israeli prime ministers Barak and Olmert adhere to the same position as I".

The Guardian

I am not asking you to be weak on criminals, merely to adhere to the Rule of Law.

The Guardian - Opinion

The 26 bills, which include plans for a tax lock to block rises in VAT, income tax and national insurance and the extension of free childcare, adhere closely to the manifesto.

The Guardian

Although its leader has met with the Israeli ambassador to Ukraine and insisted that the group does not adhere to racial ideology, it is clear that it contains some extremely far-right elements.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adhere", ensure that the subject is capable of conscious commitment (e.g., people adhering to rules) or capable of physical attachment (e.g., tape adhering to a surface).

Common error

Avoid using "adhere" to describe actions that simply coincide without intentional compliance. For example, instead of saying "The policy adheres to the new regulations", use "The policy complies with the new regulations" to denote intentional alignment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adhere" is as an intransitive verb, indicating the action of sticking physically or figuratively to something. Ludwig AI, as confirmed by Ludwig, indicates this term is grammatically correct and widely used. As an intransitive verb, "adhere" does not take a direct object.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adhere" is a versatile verb signifying physical attachment or commitment to rules and principles. As confirmed by Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct. It's frequently employed in professional, news, and scientific contexts, emphasizing the importance of compliance and consistency. To enhance clarity, it's essential to reserve "adhere" for situations involving conscious compliance or genuine physical bonding. For diverse sentence constructions, consider alternatives like "comply with" or "stick to" based on context. The usage of "adhere" is common across numerous authoritative sources, but its effectiveness lies in its precise application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comply with

Focuses specifically on obeying rules or regulations.

abide by

Similar to comply, but emphasizes acceptance and commitment to follow.

stick to

Highlights maintaining a commitment to a plan or principle.

cling to

Implies holding tightly, often to beliefs or hopes.

hold fast to

Stresses determination in maintaining beliefs or principles, despite challenges.

be faithful to

Emphasizes loyalty and consistent devotion to something.

be attached to

Suggests a physical or emotional connection that causes something to stay in place.

be consistent with

Highlights aligning actions or ideas with a standard or expectation.

be congruent with

Similar to 'consistent with', but with a stronger emphasis on harmony and alignment.

be glued to

Suggests physical or metaphorical immobility and close proximity.

FAQs

How can I use "adhere" in a sentence?

You can use "adhere" to describe sticking to something physically, like "The bandage should adhere to the skin", or to describe following rules or principles, like "Employees must adhere to company policies".

What's a good synonym for "adhere" when talking about rules?

When referring to rules or guidelines, alternatives like "comply with", "abide by", or "follow" can be used instead of "adhere".

What's the difference between "adhere to" and "stick to"?

"Adhere to" often implies a more formal or obligatory commitment to a rule, principle, or agreement, while "stick to" can refer to more general plans or choices.

Is it correct to say "adhere on" instead of "adhere to"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "adhere" is "to". Saying "adhere on" is grammatically incorrect. You should always use "adhere to", as in "adhere to the guidelines".