comply with the directive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comply with the directive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to following or adhering to specific instructions or orders given by an authority or organization. Example: "All employees are required to comply with the directive issued by management regarding safety protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The administration told states they must comply with the directive by August of this year or else they face "corrective action".

The New York Times

Although Sister Gramick and Father Nugent said they would comply with the directive, they said later that they felt free to speak publicly about the case itself.

The New York Times

And if we refused to comply with the directive, we could be hit with annual fines starting at around $600,000.

The New York Times

Spain had to comply with the Directive as from the date of its accession to the Community on January 1 , 1986

Columbia University

But the European court ruled that "after a certain time" individuals can argue that search links no longer comply with the directive and should be erased.

The New York Times

The government has given more than £100m to help hospital trusts comply with the directive and that will increase to £300m next year.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

This fundamental attitude is, of course, in accord with the readiness of the Defense to comply with the directives and the wishes of the Tribunal as far as is reconcilable with a proper conception of the defense in each case.

Yale University

"Mr. Kemp's failure to comply with the directives of the police are attributable to the rapid flow of events and actions of the firefighter, with whom he was struggling," Mr. Chatterjee said.

The New York Times

If one is playing a game of baseball with an umpire and one refuses to comply with the directives of the umpire, one is in effect interfering with the umpire's carrying out of his duties by not complying with the directives of the umpire.

SEP

Many Danish agencies complied with the directive, but, awkwardly enough, flew the flag upside down.

The New Yorker

Conservatives in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion contended at the time that the bishops had merely restated past positions and fallen short of complying with the directive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comply with the directive", ensure that the directive is clearly defined and accessible to those who need to follow it. This avoids ambiguity and promotes effective compliance.

Common error

Don't assume that "complying with the directive" implies agreement with its contents. Compliance refers to adherence to the instructions, regardless of personal opinions or beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comply with the directive" functions as a directive expression, indicating the necessity to adhere to a specific guideline or order. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and common across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

16%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comply with the directive" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express adherence to specific instructions or orders. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its common usage across various formal contexts such as news, academia, and business. While it's important to ensure clarity when referencing a directive, avoiding the assumption that compliance implies agreement is crucial. For alternative expressions, consider "adhere to", "follow", or "abide by" the directive to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. This phrase is best suited for professional and formal communications where clarity and precision are essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Adhere to the directive

Emphasizes a strict and faithful observance of the directive.

Follow the directive

A more straightforward and common way to express compliance.

Abide by the directive

Suggests a commitment to respect and obey the directive.

Obey the directive

Highlights the act of submitting to the authority behind the directive.

Conform to the directive

Stresses alignment and agreement with the directive's requirements.

Act in accordance with the directive

A more formal way of saying to act in agreement with the directive.

Be compliant with the directive

Focuses on the state of being in agreement with the directive.

Respect the directive

Highlights the importance of accepting and following the directive.

Give effect to the directive

Stresses the active implementation and enforcement of the directive.

Discharge the requirements of the directive

A formal way of saying to fulfill the requirements of the directive.

FAQs

What does "comply with the directive" mean?

To "comply with the directive" means to act in accordance with an official instruction or order. It implies adherence and obedience to the specific guidelines or requirements outlined in the directive.

Are there alternatives to "comply with the directive"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "adhere to the directive", "follow the directive", or "abide by the directive" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "comply to the directive" instead of "comply with the directive"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "comply" in this context is "with". Therefore, "comply with the directive" is grammatically correct, while "comply to the directive" is not.

How formal is the phrase "comply with the directive"?

The phrase "comply with the directive" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for professional, academic, and official contexts, but might be overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings you might simply say "follow the instructions".