adhering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "adhering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something (or someone) holding to a rule, policy, or idea. For example, "She is dedicated to adhering to her religious beliefs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They [the MoD] were probably aware that some trainees were not adhering to discipline from an early stage and I wonder why [they had] not at a much earlier stage recognised that and taken a proportion of the trainees out and repatriated them much earlier".

The Guardian

A charismatic man who leaned towards slight theatricality in his funeral directing, he insisted that the stage be set perfectly by adhering exactly to the deceased's family's every wish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On 30 June, along with "sea otter, young," "crab, with a number of oyster shells adhering" and "a curious water rat", he paid five pounds for "the wolf in fine preservation".

The Guardian

Adhering to old adages about change being good and travel broadening the mind, starting this year, from 28 February until 1 July, Nilsson and five members of his team are exploring other projects, fully paid.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tolokonnikova spends her days adhering to a strict prison regimen dominated by work in the colony's factory, sewing uniforms for various Russian officials.

The Guardian - Music

Adhering to the public-spending plans set in last November's budget and raising taxes to lower borrowing, although an unlikely prospect, would dampen demand, so reducing expectations of higher interest rates, weakening sterling and boosting exports.On the other hand, using fiscal policy to manage demand can be dangerous because it is less flexible than monetary policy.

The Economist

But instead of deciding openly to adopt the American system, Mr Blair has tried to superimpose elements of it on top of a civil-service machine that is still striving manfully to carry on in the time-honoured way, adhering to rules that embody the time-honoured values of impartiality.

The Economist

Its FlexBook platform, predominantly for science and mathematics, allows high-school teachers to mix and modify content freely to meet individual needs, while still adhering to curriculum standards.

The Economist

Adhering to reporting restrictions introduced after the theatre siege two years ago, the main state television channels stopped live broadcasts when the explosions began and resumed only an hour later.

The Economist

Last year, when he was a plucky outsider running against the mighty Clinton machine, he vowed to break with the mucky money politics of the past by adhering to the strict spending limits that come with public subsidy.

The Economist

But Dean Witter, a retail broker that later merged with Morgan Stanley, was often accused of adhering to it more in the letter than in the spirit.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adhering", ensure that the object it refers to (e.g., rule, principle, policy) is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "adhering" without specifying what is being adhered to. For instance, instead of saying "They are adhering", specify "They are adhering to the company's safety guidelines" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adhering" is as a present participle, often forming part of a continuous verb tense or acting as an adjective. As Ludwig indicates, it describes the action of sticking firmly to something, such as a rule or belief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adhering" functions as a present participle signifying compliance or commitment to a standard. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it's crucial to use "adhering" with a clear reference to what is being adhered to. Related phrases include "complying with" and "sticking to", each carrying slight nuances. While generally neutral, its formality can increase in academic settings. Remember to avoid vague references and always specify the object of adherence for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complying with

Focuses on obeying specific rules or regulations.

sticking to

Emphasizes maintaining a course or plan without deviation.

following

Implies guidance or direction from a leader or instructions.

abiding by

Suggests respecting and acting in accordance with a set of principles.

upholding

Conveys actively supporting and defending a standard or principle.

maintaining

Highlights the act of keeping something in its current state or condition.

observing

Focuses on watching and noticing, often in relation to rules or customs.

respecting

Implies showing consideration or deference to something.

devoted to

Signifies dedicating oneself to a cause or principle.

attaching to

Describes the physical or metaphorical connection of one thing to another.

FAQs

How to use "adhering" in a sentence?

You can use "adhering" to show that someone is sticking to rules or a plan, as in "The company is strictly "adhering to" safety regulations".

What can I say instead of "adhering to"?

You can use alternatives like "complying with", "sticking to", or "following" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "adhering to" and "abiding by"?

"Adhering to" and "abiding by" are very similar, but "abiding by" often implies a sense of legal or moral obligation.

What's the nuance between "adhering" and "following"?

"Adhering" emphasizes a stricter, more steadfast commitment, whereas "following" can imply a more general or less rigorous adherence.