Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

comply to

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The correct phrase is "comply with".
It is used when you agree to follow a rule, regulation, or request. Example: We will comply with the regulations set by the government.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Parts of the wall have to comply to accommodate the change of volume".

I ask Jenny Gresham from Etsy's London office about the problem of listing items that don't comply to Etsy rules.

News & Media

Independent

Recently some third-party USB-C cables have been shown to not comply to the USB specifications.

A failure to comply to a treatment plan would lead to a three-game fine and entrance into stage two.

"I'm happy to comply, to cooperate," Ms. Palin told the Anchorage television station KTUU in late July.

News & Media

The New York Times

A spokeswoman for the department, Nuala Forde, said the department would "work to comply to the best of its abilities".

News & Media

The New York Times

They wouldn't even comply to this reasonable request, so I was forced to enlist the services of the local constabulary in order to disperse them".

News & Media

Independent

"We expend a lot of effort adding levels of security to our protocols and ensuring that they comply to the published specifications".

News & Media

The New York Times

They might even comply to BYOB rules.

News & Media

TechCrunch

The protocol takes several limitations into account in order to comply to all previous demands.

Dr Gabriel said he would comply to "improve his standard of practice".

News & Media

BBC
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "comply with" instead of "comply to" to ensure grammatical correctness in your writing.

Common error

Don't use "comply to". The correct and widely accepted form is "comply with". This ensures your writing aligns with standard English grammar and avoids potential misinterpretations.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

3.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comply to" is used as a verb phrase, but Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "comply with". While some examples in Ludwig show its usage, it is generally advised to avoid this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "comply to" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI and standard grammatical conventions identify it as incorrect. The correct form is "comply with". Though frequently used, especially in news, media, and scientific publications, adhering to "comply with" ensures clarity and correctness in communication. Therefore, always opt for ""comply with"" to maintain grammatical integrity and professionalism in your writing.

FAQs

How can I properly use the phrase "comply" in a sentence?

The correct form is "comply with", followed by the rule, standard, or request you are adhering to. For example, "We must "comply with" all safety regulations."

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

"Comply to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct and accepted usage is ""comply with"", which means to adhere to or follow a rule, request, or standard.

Are there alternatives to using the phrase ""comply with""?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "adhere to", "abide by", or "conform to" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to use "comply to" in formal writing?

No, it is not acceptable. Always use ""comply with"" in formal writing to maintain grammatical correctness and professionalism. Using "comply to" is considered an error.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

3.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: