against our rules

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "against our rules" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to actions or behaviors that violate established guidelines or regulations within a specific context, such as a workplace or organization. Example: "Using personal devices during work hours is against our rules, and it can lead to disciplinary action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

That's against our rules".

The New York Times

A spokesperson told the Guardian: "Abuse is against our rules.

The Guardian - Sport

"If a team was using something to eavesdrop on other players, they would be sanctioned, because it would be against our rules".

The New York Times - Sports

In his comments Thursday, Stern said, "If a team was doing something to eavesdrop on other players, they would be sanctioned, because it would be against our rules".

The New York Times - Sports

"We review all reported content against our rules, which prohibit direct, specific threats of violence against others," Twitter has told The Independent in response to previous requests.

Independent

"The advertisement directs people to sign an online petition, and it is for this reason we deemed it political and against our rules".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

During prepared remarks, Mr. Leibowitz said that if the F.T.C. decides to issue a complaint against Google, "our rules of administrative litigation will ensure Google a trial within eight months, much faster than in the federal district courts".

The New York Times

Asked about protests, Ljungqvist said, "It's up to them, but we can't go against our own rules, and the rules were not respected in this case".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's something completely against the spirit behind our rules and totally against the spirit of our anti-doping work," Ljunqvist said tonight of the council's decision.

The New York Times - Sports

Facebook has announced a relatively small but significant purge of bad actors from the platform: 810 pages and accounts that have "consistently broken our rules against spam and coordinated inauthentic behavior".

TechCrunch

While diving without safety goes against our first rule never to dive alone, this in itself should not have contributed to her disappearance: a woman who can dive to over 70 metres isn't even touching the boundaries of her mental or physical limits on these relatively shallow depths.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "against our rules", ensure the context clearly defines whose rules are being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "against company rules" or "against school rules".

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone understands the specific rules you're referencing. Always provide context or a brief explanation of the rule to ensure clarity for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "against our rules" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates that an action or behavior is in opposition to or violates a set of established regulations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "against our rules" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something violates established guidelines or regulations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral, leaning toward the informal, more formal alternatives like "in violation of our policies" or "contrary to our regulations" may be more appropriate in academic or professional settings. When using "against our rules", ensure you clearly define whose rules you're referencing to avoid ambiguity. Remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to our regulations

Replaces "rules" with the more formal "regulations".

in violation of our policies

Uses "policies" instead of "rules", adding a layer of formality.

not in accordance with our guidelines

Substitutes "rules" with "guidelines", implying a less strict set of directives.

not permitted by our terms

Refers to "terms" indicating a contractual or formal agreement.

prohibited under our code

Emphasizes the existence of a specific and documented "code".

against company policy

Specifies that the rule is part of the company's formal policies.

not allowed as per our standards

Highlights that the restriction is based on established "standards".

violates our established protocols

Replaces "rules" with "protocols", indicating a set procedure or system.

outside the bounds of our agreement

Indicates that the action goes beyond the scope of a defined "agreement".

conflicts with our internal procedures

Focuses on the conflict with "internal procedures" within an organization.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "against our rules" for a formal setting?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "in violation of our policies", "contrary to our regulations", or "not permitted by our terms".

What's a less formal way to say "against our rules"?

For informal situations, you might use phrases like "not allowed" or "breaks the rules", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "against our rules" and "against our guidelines"?

While similar, "rules" typically implies stricter, more enforced regulations. "Guidelines" suggests recommendations or best practices that may be more flexible. So using something like "not in accordance with our guidelines" has a subtle difference.

Can I use "against our rules" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "against our rules" may sound too informal for academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "in contravention of established protocols" or "inconsistent with organizational policies" for greater precision and formality.