conform with

USAGE SUMMARY

"conform with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express agreement or an action of adhering to an accepted norm. For example, "We must conform with the safety regulations laid out by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We'll reform our behavior strikingly to conform with social norms.

The New York Times - Science

The letter of these speeches may conform with Thatcherism.

The Economist

The occasion apparently "does not conform with our nation's cultural traditions, nor does it conform with the core values of socialism", the post read.

The Guardian - Tech

Some critics hold that Mr. Bush twisted intelligence to conform with his policy goals.

The New York Times

"Then the import regulations will be adjusted to conform with the classification so agreed on".

The Guardian

And this created tremendous pressure on managers to conform with the latest trend.

The New York Times

His client's guilty plea, he said, "shows his failure to conform with those regulations".

The New York Times

Wizened old chiefs have their own volcano views, whether or not they conform with science.

The New York Times

The tax rise is part of the Gibraltar government's strategy to conform with European law.

The Guardian

There are additional credits for tenants who build their interior space to conform with the goals.

The New York Times

Could he create a regulator that might conform with the charter's principles and gain recognition?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conform with" to emphasize the importance of aligning actions or ideas with established norms or regulations, especially in formal or professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "conform with" in contexts where simple adaptation or adjustment is sufficient. Reserve it for situations that require strict adherence to a defined set of rules or standards to avoid sounding overly formal or bureaucratic.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "conform with" primarily functions as a verb of compliance or agreement. It indicates that something aligns with or adheres to a specific standard, rule, or expectation, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples from news articles and scientific publications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conform with" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to indicate compliance or agreement with established standards, rules, or norms. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is widespread across diverse contexts, notably in news, science, and encyclopedia articles, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like ""comply with"", ""adhere to"", and ""abide by"" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuances you wish to convey. Ensure clear communication of the standards or rules being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Overall, "conform with" serves as a valuable tool for expressing alignment and adherence in formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comply with

Focuses specifically on adhering to rules or regulations.

adhere to

Emphasizes a firm and unwavering commitment to a set of principles or guidelines.

abide by

Implies acceptance and obedience to a rule or decision.

align with

Highlights the act of adjusting something to match a standard or objective.

accord with

Suggests a harmonious agreement or correspondence with something.

be consistent with

Stresses the maintenance of uniformity and lack of contradiction.

be in agreement with

Highlights a state of consensus or shared opinion.

be in accordance with

Emphasizes acting in harmony with established rules or principles.

follow

A simpler and more general way of expressing adherence to guidelines or instructions.

meet

Indicates the fulfilling of requirements or standards.

FAQs

How can I use "conform with" in a sentence?

You can use "conform with" to indicate agreement or adherence to rules, laws, standards, or customs. For instance, "The company must "comply with" all environmental regulations".

What are some alternatives to "conform with"?

Some alternatives include "comply with", "adhere to", "abide by", or "align with". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "conform with" formal or informal?

"Conform with" is generally considered a formal expression. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "follow" or "agree with" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "conform with" and ""comply with""?

While similar, "conform with" often implies a broader sense of alignment with standards or norms, while ""comply with"" specifically refers to adhering to rules, laws, or regulations. In many cases, they can be used interchangeably, but ""comply with"" has a stricter, more legalistic connotation.