conforms

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "conforms" is correct and usable in written English.
This word often refers to following a particular rule or standard. For example, "The company requires its employees to dress in a manner that conforms to the dress code policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Switzerland, where referendums known as popular initiatives can be launched by any citizen or group that collects at least 100,000 signatures within 18 months, the text of the question asked is put forward (assuming it conforms to law) by the party/persons proposing the vote.

The Guardian

And even our interview conforms to the cliche of the genre: it's taking place in the corporate boardroom of his groovy offices in Soho (a yellow piano in the reception, a graffiti wall) and though a PR man and his chief operating officer are in attendance as well as me, he is, by quite some margin, the youngest person in the room.

The Guardian - Tech

Mr Kelkar's commission sketched out a GST that conforms to these principles.

The Economist

The prices of gold and more mundane metals may therefore start to move in opposite directions.Not even oil, the archetypal industrial commodity, quite conforms to the super-cycle theory.

The Economist

Adaptability: can it be used to talk about lots of different things?Whether or not Mr Mitchell said "pleb", the word conforms to all of these requirements.

The Economist

Editors who register an account, and who contribute regularly and in a manner that conforms to the nature of Wikipedia, gain implicit authority.

The Economist

When children see a scientist on television, it's either a squeaky, geeky misfit kid or a middle-aged white male with frizzy hair and a German accent".With the exception of his native New York vowels, Mr Kamen's stereotype sounds like a self-portrait, such is the extent to which he conforms to the cliché of the mad scientist.

The Economist

The third will take the most time.At times Siemens conforms to a German stereotype of valuing process at the expense of results.

The Economist

Caught off-balance Sic transit Gloria Blighted at birth Better than feared Ganging up on India Asia's alarming cities ReprintsThe United Nations and Western governments are wary of lending support to a tribunal unless it conforms to international standards of due process.

The Economist

It is not true, however, that "this arrangement conforms to the founding fathers' prejudice against strong government".It is often forgotten, more so by Americans, that in the first and second constitutions the upper chamber was not elected by popular vote but nominated by the states.

The Economist

Mr Bewkes is now widely expected to reshape Time Warner into a much smaller company by selling or spinning off some of its businesses.At the moment, Time Warner conforms to the reigning orthodoxy in traditional media: that sheer size gives a company clout, and that owning distribution networks is vital to ensure that video content can always get to viewers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conforms" to clearly indicate that something meets specific requirements or standards. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in formal and technical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "conforms" interchangeably with terms like "resembles" or "approximates." "Conforms" implies strict adherence, while "resembles" suggests a looser similarity. For example, say "The product conforms to safety regulations" instead of "The product resembles safety regulations" to highlight compliance, not just similarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conforms" is as a verb in the third-person singular present tense. It indicates that a subject adheres to a specific standard, rule, or pattern. As Ludwig AI states, the term highlights adherence and compliance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "conforms" functions as a verb indicating adherence to a standard, rule, or pattern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its frequency is classified as very common, appearing in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using "conforms", it's crucial to differentiate it from similar terms like "resembles" to maintain accuracy. For alternative phrasing, consider "complies with", "adheres to", or "aligns with". Remember, proper usage ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complies with

Focuses specifically on adhering to rules or regulations.

adheres to

Emphasizes a steadfast commitment to a principle or standard.

aligns with

Highlights the similarity or agreement between two things.

matches

Suggests a direct correspondence or equivalence.

is consistent with

Indicates a lack of contradiction or variation.

is in accordance with

Formally expresses agreement or compliance.

obeys

Implies following instructions or laws.

fits with

Suggests suitability or compatibility.

corresponds to

Highlights a parallel or similarity in structure or detail.

accords with

Indicates harmony or agreement, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

How do you use "conforms" in a sentence?

The word "conforms" is used to indicate that something adheres to a standard, rule, or pattern. For example, "The building design "conforms to" local building codes".

What can I say instead of "conforms"?

You can use alternatives like "complies with", "adheres to", or "aligns with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "conforms to" or "conforms with"?

"Conforms to" is generally preferred and more common, although "conforms with" is also acceptable. Both indicate adherence to a standard or rule.

What's the difference between "conforms" and "complies"?

"Conforms" generally means to be similar or identical, whereas "complies with" specifically means to act in accordance with a rule or law. The nuance involves intent and action versus inherent similarity.