adheres

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "adheres" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to stick to something, or to follow a certain course of action. Example sentence: She always adheres to her diet, even when faced with temptation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You must press the ends together firmly, squeezing until the dough adheres to itself, otherwise the bagels will unravel during boiling and baking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is the nauseating and unsophisticated model of "feminism" to which Katie thinks she adheres and, indeed, which all her friends think she has got down pat.

The Guardian

With her stylist and muse credentials, Valentine does have a touch more whimsy to her look than yer average head-to-toe-in-black French chicists but she adheres to the core principle that less is ultimately more.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Others say it is just routine Hefce housekeeping, with the body showing it adheres to procurement rules.

The Guardian

Assuming Apple adheres to the same naming convention it uses for its laptops, it has left itself room to add a beefier and more expensive "iPad Pro" to its tablet lineup.

The Economist

The men fret, with good reason: safety rules may protect them against falling sleepers but the African bush adheres to no regulations.

The Economist

As a NYSE-listed company, XL Capital adheres to that requirement by publishing and following standards for determining independence under the NYSE's criteria being deemed a "non-executive director" is not sufficient to meet the standards of independence and the two terms are not interchangeable.Moreover, the distinction conferred by independence is not trivial.

The Economist

Successful global companies need uniform global cultures, in which everyone adheres robustly to the same rules, even in places where the local companies do not.

The Economist

Like many ex-communist countries, Ukraine too often adheres to the shameful standards of the Soviet Union in dealing with such matters.

The Economist

On a trip to the Middle East a few weeks ago, she had a brusque encounter with a senior member of Egypt's new administration who adheres to the zealous Salafi reading of Islam.

The Economist

Adam Posen, who stepped down from the MPC in August, has complained about the narrow definition of monetary policy the bank adheres to.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adheres" when you want to emphasize a formal or consistent following of rules, principles, or physical connection. This word is particularly useful in academic, scientific, or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "adheres" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "sticks to", "follows", or "complies with" are often more appropriate and natural in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adheres" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form. It typically functions as the main verb in a sentence, indicating that a subject maintains commitment to or sticks to something, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adheres" functions as a verb denoting conformance, attachment, or commitment, as per Ludwig. Its usage spans various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media and Science. While grammatically correct, its formality should be considered to prevent overuse in casual settings. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, "adheres" is a valid and usable term in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sticks to

Replaces the more formal "adheres" with a simpler, more direct synonym.

complies with

Emphasizes the act of following rules or guidelines, rather than physical adhesion.

conforms to

Similar to "complies with", but with a slightly stronger sense of adapting to fit a standard.

obeys

Highlights the act of following commands or directives.

clings to

Suggests a strong emotional or ideological attachment, as opposed to simple adherence.

is faithful to

Indicates loyalty and consistent adherence to principles or beliefs.

is attached to

Emphasizes a physical or metaphorical connection.

is glued to

A more informal way of saying that someone or something is closely attached or sticks strongly.

is consistent with

Focuses on the alignment or agreement between things.

keeps to

Indicates maintaining a certain standard or path.

FAQs

How can I use "adheres" in a sentence?

You can use "adheres" to describe someone following a rule (e.g., "The company adheres to strict safety guidelines"), or something physically sticking to a surface (e.g., "The paint adheres well to the wall").

What are some synonyms for "adheres"?

Alternatives to "adheres" include "sticks to", "complies with", "conforms to", and "obeys". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it best to use "adheres" versus "follows"?

"Adheres" often implies a more rigid or formal compliance compared to "follows". "Adheres" is suitable when referring to rules or principles, while "follows" can be used more broadly for guidelines or instructions.

What is the difference between "adheres to" and "is attached to"?

"Adheres to" usually refers to following a set of rules, principles, or guidelines, while "is attached to" implies a physical connection or a strong emotional bond. Although both show a close bond between two things, they are not interchangeable.