be possible to comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be possible to comply" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used when discussing the feasibility of adhering to a request or requirement, but it needs to be rephrased for clarity. Example: "It may not be possible to comply with the new regulations without additional resources."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In that case the court ruled that it would "not be possible to comply with a demand for names and addresses of all persons treated for a knife wound without disclosing privileged information concerning diagnosis and treatment".

The New York Times

Lawrence Fraher, president of the Rye Brook Professional Firefighters, worries that with only volunteer staffing overnight in Port Chester, it may no longer be possible to comply with national guidelines requiring response to an alarm within four minutes.

The New York Times

The rules themselves are subject to formal requirements, designed to further restrict inconsistent application: The laws must be public; they must have been properly enacted by a competent authority; they must not be retroactive; and it must be possible to comply with them.

The New York Times

Under these circumstances, and allowing for exclusions, it is estimated that it will be possible to comply with the stated objectives within the set timescale.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

It should therefore be possible to comply with the obligation individually or by participating in a collective system, or by means of a combination of both methods.

European Parliament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In general, it is possible to comply with many specifications, just by treating the surface of the ceramics.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Along with the memo, Cook posted a new FAQ in which he acknowledged that it's possible to comply with the FBI's request.

MIT Technology Review

Thus, with the help of TOPICA code, it has been possible to comply with the FAST experiment requirements in terms of vacuum chamber constraints and power delivered to plasma.

Fusion Engineering and Design

He wryly said he knows that he is considered "naïve" in the West, "an elderly village idiot who actually thinks it is possible to comply with human-rights obligations and not to lie in politics, and who thinks that law is not an instrument of politics but the other way around".

The New Yorker

In case of the appropriate adaptation of the discharge time point, it is possible to comply with the recommended dose limit of 1 mSv per year for the general public according to ICRP 103, even in the case of performing several therapy cycles per calendar year and patient.

EJNMMI Research

By comparing data across only two matches it was possible to comply with this requirement and still be able to use the comparison data.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the ability to adhere to rules, favor stronger alternatives like "be able to comply" or "be feasible to comply" to improve clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the action of complying is obscured. Instead of "it may be possible to comply", specify who is complying and how: "the company can comply by implementing these measures".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be possible to comply" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing the potential for adherence or conformity to a set of rules, standards, or requests. Ludwig AI indicates this phrasing is not standard written English and suggests rephrasing for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "be possible to comply" conveys the idea of feasibility in meeting requirements, it's not considered standard English phrasing. Ludwig AI suggests that alternatives like ""be able to comply"" or ""be feasible to comply"" are better choices for clarity and grammatical correctness. Though it appears in diverse contexts, particularly Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business sources, it is less common. To improve writing, favor active constructions and specify who or what can comply. Remember to consider the level of formality required by the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be able to comply

Focuses on the capacity or ability to meet requirements.

be feasible to comply

Emphasizes the practicality and viability of compliance.

be capable of complying

Highlights the inherent capability to adhere to regulations.

be compliant

Offers a more concise way to express adherence.

comply

Is a verb, but shares the core meaning of meeting standards or regulations.

be in compliance

Stresses the state of being aligned with rules or standards.

be within the bounds of compliance

Focuses on staying within the limitations of rules or standards.

be permissible to comply

Highlights the allowance or permission to adhere.

be designed to comply

Emphasizes a proactive creation or adaptation to align with rules.

be structured to comply

Highlights a deliberate structure for meeting specific requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "be able to comply" instead of "be possible to comply"?

You can rephrase sentences for clarity. For example, instead of "It must be possible to comply with regulations", try "We must "be able to comply" with regulations by next quarter".

What does it mean for something "to comply"?

To comply means to act in accordance with someone's wishes or in accordance with a rule or law. You can also say "adhere to", or "abide by", which carry a similar meaning.

Which is a better alternative: "be feasible to comply" or "be able to comply"?

Both "be feasible to comply" and "be able to comply" are better alternatives, but "be able to comply" is slightly more direct and commonly used.

Is "be possible to comply" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "be possible to comply" is not the most standard phrasing. Options like ""be able to comply"" are grammatically stronger and more common.