complying

USAGE SUMMARY

'complying' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a person or action that is conforming to a specific rule or request. Example sentence: The employee was compliantly following her manager's instructions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The suggestion is that public pressure will shape company action, yet it's unclear how consumers will even be able to find out who is complying.

The Guardian - Opinion

We will look to improve our internal processes and engage more closely with the regulator in future on matters relating to cascade hydro pricing in order to ensure we are complying with our licence conditions at all times," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Europe's highest court firmly rejected Britain's long-standing approach to complying with EU air pollution laws which has been to appeal to Europe for time extensions.

The Guardian

Another officer, Frank D'antuono, tells officers to look for external help if the offender isn't complying, including a bystander or a relative or friend – "if they're on your side", he adds.

The Guardian

She underwent several rounds of plastic surgery and fended off criticism that she was complying with the expectations of a macho society with the words "men do it too".

The Guardian

In October, an influential OECD working group will be publishing an official report on how well the UK is complying with the anti-bribery convention.

The Guardian - Opinion

The issues at stake here are important and difficult, but we're committed to complying with the court's decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ringland took over the computers, terrifying the girls into complying with depraved demands.

The Guardian - Tech

Prosecutors declined to explain why they sought the re-arrest of a defendant who was apparently complying with bail conditions.

The Guardian - Sport

Use of trusts has boomed, but as an English creation they work much better in common-law jurisdictions, such as Jersey and Singapore, than in Liechtenstein's civil-law system.So Liechtenstein has its work cut out trying to remain an attractive destination while complying with international rules.

The Economist

The 6.1 billion hours Americans waste each year complying with tax rules could have been spent inventing new products.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complying", ensure the context clearly specifies the rules, regulations, or requests being adhered to. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "complying" without clearly defining what the subject is complying with. Lack of clarity can lead to misinterpretations about the extent and nature of the compliance.

Linguistic Context

The term "complying" serves as a verb in its present participle form, functioning adjectivally to describe something that is in the process of adhering to a standard, rule, or request. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complying" is a versatile verb form that denotes adherence to rules, regulations, or requests. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and frequently encountered. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, its function is to communicate conformity. While versatile, it's crucial to specify the object of compliance for clarity. Related phrases include "adhering to", "obeying", and "conforming to", each bringing subtle nuances to the act of compliance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhering to

Focuses on the act of sticking to a rule or guideline.

obeying

Emphasizes the act of following a direct command or law.

conforming to

Highlights the act of aligning with established norms or expectations.

abiding by

Suggests a more formal agreement or commitment to rules.

following

A general term for adhering to instructions or directions.

observing

Emphasizes the act of watching and adhering to regulations.

respecting

Highlights deference to rules or authority.

fulfilling

Focuses on meeting requirements or obligations.

meeting

Implies satisfying specific criteria or conditions.

in accordance with

A formal way of stating that actions are aligned with specific guidelines.

FAQs

How can I use "complying" in a sentence?

You can use "complying" to describe actions that adhere to rules or requests. For instance, "The company is "complying" with environmental regulations."

What are some alternatives to the word "complying"?

Alternatives include "adhering to", "obeying", and "conforming to", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "complying with" and "conforming to"?

"Complying with" often refers to adhering to rules or laws, while "conforming to" usually describes aligning with norms or expectations. Though related, they are not always interchangeable.

What's the correct preposition to use after "complying"?

The correct preposition is typically "with". For example, "The organization is "complying" with the new guidelines."