come to comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come to comply" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where someone is expected to arrive or agree to follow rules or regulations, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "After much discussion, the team members finally come to comply with the new policy changes."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are three ways an instrumentally incoherent agent could come to comply with the wide-scope requirement: by intending the means, by dropping the end, or by abandoning the belief that intending the means is necessary for achieving the end.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But as the day came to comply with a government order to hand over Elian, Lazaro Gonzalez just said no.

The New York Times

And giving up an end may seem to be more like escaping from the requirement than coming to comply with it.

SEP

On the other hand, when it comes to complying with existing treaties, Evans has slid backward.

Forbes

As such we have chosen to move beyond examining compliance alone and instead focus on the process by which legal actors come to internalize and comply with legal norms or participate in the generation of new norms, namely transnational legal process.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

That means that the British agency's work is guided by its own internal procedures when it comes to trying to comply with the country's human rights law.

The New York Times

The United States needs only a little prodding to act multilaterally when it comes to, say, complying with World Trade Organization rules.

The New York Times - Books

By contrast, if a duty is not preemptive, then when it comes time to comply with it, one must balance it with other duties that weigh for and against acting in accord with the duty.

SEP

This branch of game theory assumes that, once rational agents have come to an agreement, they will comply with it.

SEP

"This personal enrichment of Enron officials, however, was merely one aspect of a deeper and more serious problem," the report concludes, adding that many transactions were designed to produce fictional profits and did not come close to complying with accounting rules.

The New York Times

But they will be told by the Serbian government to comply; and may even come to see advantages as well.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come to comply", consider the context and ensure that it clearly conveys the idea of a transition towards compliance, rather than immediate or complete adherence. Alternatives like "agree to comply" or "begin to comply" might be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "come to comply" when you mean simply "comply". The former implies a process or transition, while the latter suggests immediate or complete adherence. Be precise in your language to accurately reflect the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to comply" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of transitioning towards compliance or agreement. It suggests a change in attitude or behavior, leading to adherence to rules or requests. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is not a standard expression, it's a bit awkward.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come to comply" is a verb phrase signifying a transition toward adherence to rules or requests, a concept Ludwig AI marks as a bit awkward. While grammatically acceptable, it implies a gradual process, unlike the more direct "comply". Usage is common across news, science, and business contexts. For greater formality and precision, consider alternatives like "agree to comply" or "begin to comply". When writing, ensure the phrase accurately conveys the intended meaning of a process rather than immediate action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agree to comply

Focuses on the act of agreeing, emphasizing the conscious decision to follow rules.

begin to comply

Highlights the starting point of the compliance process, suggesting an initial phase of adherence.

start complying

Similar to 'begin to comply' but with more emphasis on taking action

decide to comply

Emphasizes the decision-making process leading to compliance.

resolve to comply

Suggests a firm decision and commitment to follow the rules or regulations.

yield to compliance

Indicates a surrendering or submission to the demands of compliance.

adhere to regulations

A more formal alternative, focusing on strict adherence to specific regulations.

meet requirements

Emphasizes the fulfillment of necessary conditions or standards.

fall in line

An idiomatic expression indicating conformity or agreement with established norms.

acquiesce to the rules

Implies reluctant agreement or passive acceptance of the established rules.

FAQs

What does "come to comply" mean?

The phrase "come to comply" suggests a gradual process of accepting and adhering to a rule, law, or request. It implies a transition from non-compliance to compliance, often after a period of resistance or reluctance.

When should I use "agree to comply" instead of "come to comply"?

Use "agree to comply" when you want to emphasize the decision or agreement to follow a rule, rather than the process of transitioning to compliance, which is what "come to comply" implies.

Is "come to comply" formal or informal?

The phrase "come to comply" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in news and general writing. More formal alternatives include "adhere to regulations" or "meet requirements".

What are some alternatives to "come to comply" that emphasize immediate action?

If you want to emphasize immediate action, consider using phrases like "immediately comply" or simply "comply". These alternatives convey a sense of direct and prompt adherence, unlike "come to comply" which implies a more gradual process.