conformity to

USAGE SUMMARY

"conformity to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of adapting or adjusting to a certain set of standards, rules, expectations, or regulations. For example, "The employees must show conformity to the company regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stability means conformity to US orders.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thereafter he imposed strict conformity to Protestant ceremony and doctrine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

America added babies, Chevys and suburban conformity to Interests.

The New York Times

It focused on the relationship between mental health and conformity to 11 masculine norms.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or of conformity to cultural demands, for workers, mothers and wives to be even-tempered?

The New York Times - Magazine

It also involved conformity to specific rules describing conduct inside and outside of school.

The New Yorker

In traditional societies, conformity to certain respected patterns and conventions was the norm.

The Guardian - Books

Software licenses commonly contain express warranties about the software's material conformity to certain specifications.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"In punk there's an extreme kind of conformity to all the nonconformity.

The New York Times - Magazine

But this is Salzburg, where success is measured by conformity to tradition.

The New York Times - Arts

Conformity to this principle is a criterion of rationality.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conformity to", ensure that the object of the preposition is clearly defined. For instance, "conformity to company policy" is more precise than a general statement about conformity.

Common error

Avoid using "conformity to" when you actually mean uniformity. "Conformity" implies adherence to standards or norms, while "uniformity" suggests sameness or lack of variation. Not every standard implies that everything must be equal or identical, thus be sure that conformity is what you intend to say.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conformity to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. As Ludwig AI indicates, it signifies adapting or adjusting to a certain set of standards, rules, expectations, or regulations. This usage is evident in examples related to adherence to guidelines, norms, or principles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conformity to" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to denote adherence or alignment with a standard, rule, or expectation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is frequently used and its meaning consistently refers to the act of adapting to established guidelines. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, "conformity to" can be replaced with synonyms like ""compliance with"" or "adherence to". When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying the standard being conformed to, and avoid confusing it with "uniformity", which implies sameness rather than adherence to a norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compliance with

Replaces "conformity" with "compliance", emphasizing adherence to rules or regulations.

adherence to

Substitutes "conformity" with "adherence", highlighting a steadfast commitment to a set of principles or guidelines.

accordance with

Uses "accordance" instead of "conformity", suggesting agreement or harmony with a standard.

alignment with

Replaces "conformity" with "alignment", focusing on the act of bringing something into correspondence or agreement.

compliance to

Substitutes "with" by "to" with little or no change in the semantic meaning.

agreement with

Uses "agreement" instead of "conformity", stressing the harmonious relationship with standards or norms.

obedience to

Emphasizes submission and adherence to a set of rules or commands.

devotion to

Changes the focus to the act of dedicating oneself to comply with or follow certain ideals or principles.

acquiescence to

Highlights the act of reluctantly accepting or complying with something.

subservience to

Emphasizes a subordinate role in relation to rules or authority.

FAQs

How can I use "conformity to" in a sentence?

Use "conformity to" to indicate adherence to a standard or set of rules. For example, "The project's success depends on strict "compliance with" the established guidelines".

What phrases can I use instead of "conformity to"?

You can use alternatives like ""compliance with"", "adherence to", or "accordance with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "conformity with" instead of "conformity to"?

While "conformity to" is more common, "conformity with" can also be used, though it may sound slightly less formal. The choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What's the difference between ""compliance with"" and "conformity to"?

"Conformity to" generally implies adapting to a norm or standard, while ""compliance with"" often suggests adhering to a specific rule or regulation. The nuance lies in the degree of specificity.