comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of following rules, requests, or standards. Example: "All employees are expected to comply with the company's safety regulations to ensure a safe working environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said companies faced severe fines or closure if they failed to comply with new rules on payment of wages, standards of accommodation and other aspects of the employment of migrant workers in the hyper-wealthy Gulf emirate.

The Guardian

We don't need to hit them because they'd be hitting themselves if they did not comply.

The Guardian

The six-to-one ruling in the Hutchinson case says the justice secretary does clearly have a power to release whole-life prisoners in exceptional circumstances making the law sufficient to comply with article three, which bans inhuman or degrading treatment.

The Guardian

Last month the centre-right Dutch government also collapsed, unable to agree spending cuts to comply with the euro rules next year.

The Guardian - Business

That said, we obviously respect the court's authority and are doing our very best to comply quickly and responsibly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Australian government lawyers believed such a flight would comply with international law, the report said, "because only land features above high tide can generate territorial rights".

The Guardian

Mark Rutte, the centre-right Dutch prime minister, threw in the towel on Monday, submitting his resignation to Queen Beatrix after seven weeks of fruitless haggling over colossal spending cuts, which are required to comply with new European rules he has done much to design.

The Guardian

Antenatal care "Antenatal care provided by IHMS is unsafe and inadequate and does not comply with Australian standards".

The Guardian

To comply with the law the three firms must hand over data on Russian bloggers with more than 3,000 readers per day and take down websites that Roskomnadzor saw as containing calls for "unsanctioned protests and unrest", Ampelonsky said.

The Guardian

Now the brakes are on, and the Houston area must comply with national clean air standards by 2007 or lose about $2bn in federal grants.

The Guardian

Now obviously we're a little early with this preview, as owing to the ongoing pressure to comply with the FIFA calendar, the final week of the 2013 MLS regular season is scheduled to be played at half-time in the 3rd/4th place game at the Qatar World Cup (though the playoffs will go ahead as planned).

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comply", ensure the sentence clearly states what the subject is complying with (e.g., rules, regulations, requests). Providing context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "complying" with one regulation automatically means adherence to all relevant rules. Always verify comprehensive compliance with all applicable standards.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "comply" is as an intransitive verb, often followed by the preposition "with". Ludwig examples show its use in expressing adherence to rules, laws, or requests. As Ludwig AI indicates, it follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comply" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb indicating adherence to rules, regulations, or requests. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, reflecting its relevance in discussing adherence to standards and legal obligations. While alternatives like "adhere to" and "abide by" exist, "comply" offers a straightforward way to express conformity. When using "comply", ensure clarity by specifying what is being complied with. Overall, "comply" is a versatile and essential term for expressing adherence to established guidelines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhere to

Emphasizes a firm and unwavering commitment to rules or principles.

abide by

Stresses acceptance and willingness to follow regulations or agreements.

conform to

Highlights adapting oneself to fit established norms or standards.

observe

Focuses on watching and carefully following rules or customs.

act in accordance with

Formal phrase indicating behavior that aligns with specific guidelines.

be obedient to

Implies a hierarchical relationship where one follows instructions from a superior.

fall in line with

Suggests joining or adapting to the prevailing opinion or behavior.

respect

Indicates showing consideration and adherence to rules or authority.

acquiesce to

Implies reluctantly accepting or agreeing to something.

give way to

Suggests yielding or surrendering to a demand or pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "comply" in a sentence?

You can use "comply" to indicate adherence to rules, laws, or requests. For example, "Companies must "comply" with environmental regulations" or "Employees are expected to "comply" with the dress code".

What are some alternatives to "comply"?

Alternatives to "comply" include "adhere to", "abide by", "conform to", and "observe". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "comply to" instead of "comply with"?

No, the correct usage is "comply with". "Comply to" is grammatically incorrect. You should always use the preposition "with" after "comply" to indicate what is being adhered to.

What's the difference between "comply" and "obey"?

"Comply" generally implies adherence to rules or regulations, while "obey" suggests following a direct command or instruction. For example, you "comply" with laws, but you obey your parents or superiors.