adhere by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'adhere by' is not correct in written English.
The correct phrase is 'adhere to.' This phrase means to comply with a rule, belief, or agreement; to stick to something. For example, "Students must adhere to the school's dress code at all times."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Remoras adhere by means of a flat, oval sucking disk on top of the head.

Britannica

When they touch one another or some other surface that is cooled below the freezing point, they adhere by freezing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These biomimetic dry adhesives work by using multi-scale compliant mechanisms to make intimate contact with different surfaces and adhere by using Van der Waals forces.

Journal of Bionic Engineering

The dyestuff thus becomes a part of the fibre and is much less likely to be removed by washing than are dyestuffs that adhere by adsorption.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The commissioner as well as the opposition parties said state media failed to adhere by the guidelines issued by the EC.

BBC

Barnacles adhere by producing a mixture of cement proteins (CPs) that organize into a permanently bonded layer displayed as nanoscale fibers.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He adheres, by instinct and experience, to the middle ground.

The New York Times

Large and heavy spheres are adhered by the controllable electrostatic force.

Science and Technology of Advanced Materials

A plane strain problem for two magnetoelectroelastic half-planes adhered by a thin isotropic interlayer is considered.

Engineering Fracture Mechanics

A plane problem for two identical piezoelectric semi-infinite spaces adhered by means of a thin isotropic interlayer is considered.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Additionally, the coarse cores of minerals were closely surrounded and adhered by a matrix of fine minerals.

International Journal of Mineral Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "adhere to" when you mean to comply with a rule or stick to a plan. For example: "The company must adhere to environmental regulations."

Common error

The common mistake is using "adhere by" instead of the correct phrase "adhere to". To avoid this, remember that "adhere" requires the preposition "to" when indicating compliance or attachment. For instance, avoid writing "Employees must adhere by the policy"; instead, write "Employees must adhere to the policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adhere by" functions incorrectly as a verb phrase intended to express compliance or attachment. However, it violates standard English grammar. Ludwig indicates that the correct form is "adhere to".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "adhere by" appears in various contexts such as science, news and media, and encyclopedias, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "adhere to", which means to comply with or stick to something. As Ludwig indicates, "adhere by" violates standard English grammar. Therefore, it's essential to use "adhere to" in your writing to ensure clarity and correctness. Remember to comply with standard English and use alternatives such as abide by or stick to when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comply with

This alternative emphasizes obeying rules or regulations.

abide by

This alternative suggests following or accepting a decision or rule.

stick to

This emphasizes maintaining a course of action or plan.

conform to

This alternative stresses aligning with established standards.

hold to

This suggests maintaining loyalty or commitment to something.

follow

A general term for acting according to instructions or a set path.

obey

Implies submission to authority or rules.

fulfill

Highlights the completion of a requirement or obligation.

observe

Stresses careful attention to and compliance with rules.

meet

Indicates satisfying a requirement or condition.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "adhere" in a sentence?

The correct way to use "adhere" when referring to compliance or sticking to something is with the preposition "to", as in "adhere to". Using "adhere by" is grammatically incorrect.

What does "adhere to" mean?

"Adhere to" means to comply with, follow, or stick to something, such as a rule, agreement, or belief. For example, "Participants must "adhere to the guidelines"".

What are some alternatives to "adhere to"?

You can use alternatives like "comply with", "abide by", or "stick to" depending on the context. These phrases all convey a similar meaning of following or sticking to something.

Which is correct, "adhere to" or "adhere by"?

"Adhere to" is the correct phrase. "Adhere by" is grammatically incorrect and should not be used in formal writing.