comply with guidelines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comply with guidelines" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to follow or adhere to rules or principles set out by an organization or authority. Example: All employees must comply with company guidelines for social media use. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

But while companies must comply with guidelines on internal control and risk management the code is silent on tax planning.

The Guardian - Business

At the same time, Friedman said companies will want to comply with guidelines in order to satisfy a market clamoring for sustainable food options.

The Guardian

The officials said all interrogations would comply with guidelines contained in the Army Field Manual, which outlaws the use of physical force.

The New York Times

Dr Dijkhuizen said that following the incidents, a protocol for all end of life decisions had been put in place to comply with guidelines.

The Guardian

Nike is terminating its contract to provide hockey equipment to Brown University, fearing the school may try to make it comply with guidelines of a group pushing for better working conditions in clothing factories.

The New York Times - Sports

All civilian employees of the government, including those at the C.I.A., were required to comply with guidelines for interrogations detailed in a series of legal opinions written by the Justice Department.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Most foods complied with guidelines for elemental iron due largely to the exceptionally wide acceptable range (Fig. 1b).

Nature

When confronted with evidence of ongoing oil infiltration into the soil, he states that the homeowner has complied with guidelines "to the extent practicable".

The New York Times

The White House insisted on Monday that its Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICEE) division was mostly complying with guidelines requiring laws to be broken before undocumented immigrants are deported.

The Guardian

Walgreens said that its policy allows pharmacists to morally object, but it would look into whether the pharmacist fully complied with guidelines.

The Washington Post

The procedures complied with guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists and were carried out under permit number FBD7.2 60 from the Administration of the County of Osnabrück, Department of Environment.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or formal contexts, use "comply with guidelines" to emphasize mandatory adherence to specific rules or regulations.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "comply with guidelines" allows for significant deviation or interpretation. While some guidelines offer flexibility, the core principles must still be strictly followed to maintain integrity and avoid unintended consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comply with guidelines" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of adhering to specific rules or recommendations. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. The phrase connects a subject (person, company, organization) with an obligation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comply with guidelines" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates adherence to a specific set of rules or recommendations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Alternative phrases include "adhere to guidelines" and "follow the guidelines". When using the phrase, ensure the guidelines are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Potential errors involve misinterpreting the flexibility of guidelines, which may lead to unintended deviations. Prominent sources include The New York Times and The Guardian, highlighting its broad applicability across authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhere to guidelines

Replaces "comply" with "adhere", emphasizing a commitment to following the guidelines.

follow the guidelines

Uses "follow" instead of "comply", providing a more straightforward and easily understandable alternative.

abide by the guidelines

Uses "abide by" instead of "comply with", stressing obedience to the guidelines.

conform to guidelines

Substitutes "comply" with "conform", suggesting alignment with the established guidelines.

act in accordance with guidelines

Rephrases the expression to emphasize that actions are aligned with the guidelines.

observe the guidelines

Employs "observe" in place of "comply", indicating that the guidelines are being watched and followed.

meet the requirements of the guidelines

Specifies that the actions fulfill the necessary requirements set by the guidelines.

be in line with guidelines

Indicates that something is aligned or consistent with the stated guidelines.

uphold the guidelines

Conveys the idea of actively supporting and maintaining the standards set by the guidelines.

respect the guidelines

Implies showing consideration and adherence to the guidelines.

FAQs

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

You can use "comply with guidelines" to indicate adherence to a specific set of rules or recommendations. For example, "All research must "comply with guidelines" set by the ethics committee."

What are some alternatives to "comply with guidelines"?

Alternatives include phrases like "adhere to guidelines", "follow the guidelines", or "conform to guidelines".

Is there a difference between "comply with guidelines" and "adhere to guidelines"?

While both phrases are similar, "comply with guidelines" often suggests a more formal or mandatory requirement, whereas "adhere to guidelines" can imply a stronger commitment to the underlying principles.

What happens if you don't "comply with guidelines"?

Failure to "comply with guidelines" can result in penalties, sanctions, or other negative consequences, depending on the context and the nature of the guidelines.