comply with directives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comply with directives" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of following or adhering to specific instructions or orders given by an authority or organization. Example: "All employees are required to comply with directives issued by the management to ensure a safe working environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

There is a new wave of small schools that simply teach students to comply with directives.

Harvard University

States have to comply with directives because they agreed to do so when they signed up to the EU Treaty (pdf).

The Guardian

"If we relinquish Euratom there would be reduced burden from not having to comply with directives," said David Senior, an ONR executive.

The Guardian - Business

On not being threatened by someone who doesn't unthinkingly comply with directives from above.

Forbes

Bladin would have replaced Air Vice Marshal Bostock, who was facing disciplinary action for refusing to comply with directives from the Air Board, the RAAF's controlling body, but in the end the Australian government made no change to command arrangements.

Wikipedia

Over 75% of households did not have complete uptake of flu vaccine, nearly half of respondents had at least one major health risk, and nearly two-fifths of respondents said they would not comply with directives to stay at home during an epidemic.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

All experiments were approved by the animal ethics committee of the Faculty of Sciences of Ghent University (Belgium), performed according to its guidelines, and comply with Directive 2010/63/EU.

BMC Physiology

(5) Given the very short period of time left before the national laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Directive (EU) 2016/97 are to be brought into force, this Directive should enter into force without delay.

European Parliament

The F.A.A. has always given the company "latitude," he said, for complying with directives by making small variations to resolve any contradictions or ambiguities.

The New York Times

With RBS looking for ways to boost its bottom line while also complying with directives to shrink its investment banking business, shuttering its Japanese bond trading unit looks like an obvious choice.

Forbes

The majority of the women in DDT IRS households reported receiving and complying with directives similar to these [i.e., taking out or covering water and food (most often with a fabric table cloth), moving everything to the middle of the house and covering it with plastic, removing everything from the walls, and going outside the house before spraying occurred].

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comply with directives", ensure the directives are clearly defined and communicated to avoid ambiguity. This promotes better adherence and minimizes misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "comply with directives" without specifying what those directives are. Vague references can lead to confusion and non-compliance. Always provide clear context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comply with directives" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of adhering to specific instructions or orders. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comply with directives" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression that signifies adherence to specific instructions or orders. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in diverse contexts. While examples are relatively uncommon, its usage spans across news, academia, science, and business domains. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial: ensure the directives are well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "adhere to instructions" or "follow guidelines" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality and specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhere to instructions

Focuses on strict adherence to specific instructions rather than general guidelines.

follow guidelines

Emphasizes a more flexible approach to conforming to general recommendations.

obey orders

Highlights the act of following commands, often within a hierarchical structure.

abide by regulations

Refers to conforming to established rules and laws.

respect requirements

Suggests an acknowledgement of and adherence to mandatory conditions.

meet standards

Indicates conformity to specified levels of quality or performance.

act in accordance with policies

Highlights actions that align with established organizational policies.

behave in compliance with rules

Emphasizes behavior that conforms to established rules.

observe regulations

Implies careful observation and adherence to a set of rules.

be governed by instructions

Suggests that one's actions are controlled or directed by specific instructions.

FAQs

How can I use "comply with directives" in a sentence?

You can use "comply with directives" to indicate adherence to specific instructions. For example, "All employees must "comply with directives" issued by management."

What are some alternatives to "comply with directives"?

Alternatives include "adhere to instructions", "follow guidelines", or "obey orders", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "comply with directives" or "follow directives"?

"Comply with directives" and "follow directives" are largely interchangeable. "Comply" suggests a more formal and mandatory adherence, while "follow" is slightly less formal.

What's the difference between "comply with directives" and "comply with regulations"?

"Comply with directives" refers to following specific instructions or orders, whereas "comply with regulations" means adhering to established rules or laws.