adhere to laws

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adhere to laws" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone's behavior when following rules, regulations, or laws. For example: "John always tries to adhere to laws, even when it is difficult to do so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In Venezuela, as in Britain, TV stations must adhere to laws and regulations governing what they can broadcast.

The Guardian

American casinos insist that they strictly adhere to laws in Macau and the United States to prevent money laundering and the involvement of organized crime.

The New Yorker

"If that doesn't happen, livestock operators all over the west who graze on public land will feel emboldened to not adhere to laws and regulations".

The Guardian

Can you decorate your workspace any way you want? A. No, because it's not really your space but your employer's, and your employer must adhere to laws that govern workplace displays.

The New York Times

"Jim was able to connect all these dots and tell the story of how we have to make sure we adhere to laws and keep protections in place," Petersen said.

The New Yorker

Which would you prefer: keeping your valuables in a locked safe, or keeping them in a shoebox and trusting that everyone will adhere to laws against theft and their concomitant penalties?

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Asked about the memo, he said "the instructions went out to our people to adhere to law.

The Economist

"If the regulations are not perceived to be strong enough to rein in this practice and actually have police adhere to law and respect people's civil rights..

Vice

But it does give us some confidence that Latino immigrants are faithfully adhering to laws that allow only citizens and legal permanent residents to participate by checkbook.

The Washington Post

By sharing peer review information, while adhering to laws on privacy, data protection and confidentiality, the project is hoped to foster innovation and increase interoperability.

Harvard University

The administration has said that it is adhering to laws in a majority of states that set adulthood at age 18.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or ethical obligations, using "adhere to laws" clearly communicates the need for compliance. For example, specify which laws are being adhered to for clarity, such as "adhere to international environmental laws".

Common error

Avoid using "adhere to laws" interchangeably with phrases like "obey the laws" without considering the nuance. "Adhere to" often implies a more formal or strict compliance, while "obey" can suggest a broader sense of following rules.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adhere to laws" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the action of following and complying with legal regulations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts, indicating its role in conveying compliance and obligation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "adhere to laws" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies compliance with legal regulations. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, highlighting its diverse applications across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academic, and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase emphasizes the crucial aspect of legal responsibility. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "comply with the law" or "abide by the rules", tailoring your choice to the specific context while keeping in mind that "adhere to" implies stricter compliance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comply with the law

Replaces "adhere to" with "comply with", focusing on legal compliance.

abide by the rules

Uses "abide by" instead of "adhere to", broadening the scope to rules in general.

follow the regulations

Replaces "laws" with "regulations", narrowing the scope to specific regulatory requirements.

respect the laws

Shifts the focus to respecting the laws, implying a sense of obligation or duty.

observe the legal requirements

Emphasizes the observation of legal requirements, suitable for formal contexts.

be law-abiding

Condenses the phrase into a single adjective, describing someone who follows the law.

act within the law

Focuses on acting within the boundaries of the law, suggesting legal permissibility.

be compliant with regulations

Similar to "follow the regulations" but with a stronger emphasis on compliance.

uphold the laws

Suggests a more active role in maintaining and supporting the laws.

obey the laws of the land

Adds a geographical dimension, emphasizing adherence to the laws of a particular country.

FAQs

How can I use "adhere to laws" in a sentence?

You can use "adhere to laws" to describe actions that are in compliance with legal requirements. For example, "Companies must "adhere to laws" regarding data protection to avoid penalties."

What are some alternatives to "adhere to laws"?

Some alternatives include "comply with the law", "abide by the rules", or "follow the regulations", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "adhere to laws" or "obey laws"?

Both phrases are correct, but "adhere to laws" often implies a more formal or strict compliance. "Obey laws" can be used more broadly to suggest simply following the law.

What's the difference between "adhere to laws" and "comply with laws"?

"Adhere to laws" emphasizes strict compliance and following the letter of the law. "Comply with laws" suggests meeting the minimum requirements of the law, which might not always involve strict adherence.