comply by

USAGE SUMMARY

"comply by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to take an action in compliance with a certain rule or policy. For example, "Please comply by the company dress code when attending business meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Bush had hoped to comply by next year.

The New York Times

The airlines might comply by reducing baggage allowances.

The New York Times

But the companies are bound to comply by Friday.

The Guardian

Businesses with over 25 employees must comply by 2022.

The New York Times

Most other employers and insurers must comply by this Aug. 1.

The New York Times - Health

A firm can comply by simply reporting that it is doing nothing.

The Economist

You can see which companies will have to comply by which date.

The Guardian

All the state's other school districts must still comply by this September.

The New York Times

case and will comply by removing its export quotas and export duties.

The New York Times

All others would be induced to comply by cooperative enforcement measures in the other.

Columbia University

Companies faced the threat of fines and suspended Internet service if they did not comply by prescribed deadlines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comply by" when specifying a deadline or method for meeting a requirement. For example, "Companies must comply by January 1st." or "You can comply by submitting the required documents online."

Common error

Avoid using "comply by" when simply stating adherence without specifying a deadline or method. Instead of saying "They comply by the rules", say "They comply with the rules".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comply by" functions as a prepositional phrase specifying the means or timeframe within which an action of compliance must occur. It modifies a verb, indicating how or when an obligation should be met, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comply by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI and its numerous examples. It functions as a prepositional phrase specifying the means or timeframe for compliance, and is most commonly found in News & Media, Academic, and Formal & Business contexts. While alternatives like "adhere to" or "abide by" exist, "comply by" uniquely highlights the method or deadline for meeting requirements. Remember to use "comply by" when specifying how or when compliance should occur; otherwise, "comply with" is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Abide by

Implies acceptance and obedience to a rule or decision.

Satisfy by

Focuses on fulfilling requirements through specific actions.

Adhere to by

Emphasizes sticking closely to a set of rules or guidelines, but is less common.

Fulfill through

Emphasizes completing obligations through a specific method.

Comply through

Highlights the method used to achieve compliance.

Conform to by

Stresses adapting to a standard or expectation.

Be compliant via

Suggests compliance is achieved through a certain channel or method.

Follow by

Indicates adherence in sequence or order of priority.

Meet by

Signifies fulfilling a standard or requirement by a particular means.

Respect by

Implies showing consideration for a regulation through compliance.

FAQs

How do I use "comply by" in a sentence?

Use "comply by" to indicate how or when a requirement should be met. For example, "The company must comply by the end of the fiscal year", or "You can "comply by submitting" all necessary documentation".

What is the difference between "comply by" and "comply with"?

"Comply with" refers to adhering to rules or regulations in general, while "comply by" specifies a deadline or method of compliance. You comply with regulations, but you "comply by submitting" documents or comply by a specific date.

What are some alternatives to "comply by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "adhere to", "abide by", or "conform to depending on the context. However, these alternatives do not explicitly indicate a deadline or method.

Is it always necessary to use "comply by" when referring to adherence?

No. Use "comply by" when you want to specify how or when compliance must be achieved. If you simply want to state that someone is following the rules, "comply with" is more appropriate.