conform to reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conform to reality" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something adheres or is consistent with facts, truth, or reality. For example, "The rules of the company must conform to reality in order to be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Fannie may have conformed to the rules, but the rules didn't conform to reality.

The New York Times - Magazine

The challenge is to build institutions that conform to reality but lessen its ill effects.

The New York Times

If that's policy's goal, then the policy should pursue it in ways that conform to reality as we understand it.

The Guardian - Tech

But while the apartment may not conform to reality, it does conform to the popular image of a Manhattan apartment.

The New York Times

She has a cool head and a proven willingness to pursue policies that conform to reality, rather than the other way around.

The New York Times

What we want is for a theory to conform to reality, and, in order to find out whether it does, you need to see what the theory actually says.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I want to make sure my video game conforms to reality," Mr. Ahmetovic said, emphasizing the constant vigilance that Shell requires.

The New York Times

The image that architecture is done by a single genius has never conformed to reality, but particularly in today's practice — relying as it does on extended technical expertise — it is ridiculous to attribute the design to a single genius.

The New York Times

If a possibility that we are considering is clearly and distinctly perceived, then our clear and distinct perception conforms to reality, and the possibility that we are conceiving is not merely conceptual.

SEP

Aquinas explains that a thought is said to be true because it conforms to reality, whereas a thing or person is said to be true because it conforms to a thought (a friend is true insofar as, and because, she conforms to our, or God's, conception of what a friend ought to be).

SEP

Is it possible you're adapting your strategy to conform to the reality that you already maintain thousands of stores?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conform to reality" to highlight the importance of practical considerations over abstract ideals or wishful thinking. It emphasizes grounding in verifiable facts.

Common error

Avoid implying that reality must change to "conform to" a plan or desire. The correct usage is to adjust thinking or actions to align with reality, not the other way around.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conform to reality" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of aligning or adjusting something to match factual circumstances. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage signifies adherence to facts and truths.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "conform to reality" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating alignment with facts and real-world conditions. As Ludwig AI notes, its main function is to emphasize the necessity of adjusting ideas and actions to match verifiable truths. While the phrase isn't extremely common, it finds usage across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic domains. Related phrases include "align with reality" and "correspond to reality". Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize practicality and grounding in truth, ensuring you don't mistakenly suggest that reality should be altered to fit a preconceived notion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

align with reality

Emphasizes agreement or correspondence with factual circumstances, rather than strict adherence.

correspond to reality

Highlights a direct relationship or mirroring of real-world conditions.

reflect reality

Focuses on representing or mirroring what is actually happening.

accord with reality

Suggests a state of harmony or agreement with factual circumstances.

be consistent with reality

Highlights the lack of contradiction or conflict with what is factual.

be in line with reality

Stresses a parallel or alignment with real-world conditions or facts.

square with reality

Implies that the concept perfectly fits within the real-world context, resolving any apparent conflicts.

match reality

Focuses on equivalence or exact correspondence to what is real.

fit reality

Highlights compatibility with what is actually happening, but with a more flexible interpretation.

agree with reality

Emphasizes the concurrence of an idea or concept with what is real.

FAQs

How can I use "conform to reality" in a sentence?

You can use "conform to reality" to indicate that something aligns with facts or real-world conditions. For example, "The model needs to "align with reality" to be useful."

What is a good substitute for the phrase "conform to reality"?

Alternatives include "align with reality", "correspond to reality", or "reflect reality", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "conform to reality" or "shape reality"?

The better option depends on the context. "Conform to reality" suggests adapting to existing circumstances, while "shape reality" implies actively changing things. Often, a combination of both is necessary.

What does it mean when something doesn't "conform to reality"?

It means the thing is not in agreement with facts. When something doesn't "conform to reality", it can be "inconsistent with reality" or simply untrue.