following guidelines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "following guidelines" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to an individual observing and adhering to standards, rules, or protocols. For example: To ensure that the project was completed properly, the team was careful to follow all the necessary guidelines.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

School officials defended their actions, saying they were following guidelines.

The New York Times

Use of GuardianWitness is subject to the following guidelines.

The Guardian

So why are some schools not following guidelines on exclusions?

The Guardian

"Just following guidelines and what they're telling me to do".

The New York Times - Sports

Protecting Children Properly The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following guidelines.

The New York Times - Health

Provide them handouts with the following guidelines for preparing their annotations (one per student).

The New York Times

The police, not unreasonably, say they were merely following guidelines on the distribution of indecent images.

The Guardian

Use of WhatsApp to share stories, images or video footage with the Guardian is subject to the following guidelines.

The Guardian

After significant consultation with Washington City Paper's expensive outside team of professional ethicists, we've settled on the following guidelines.

The Guardian

That is because he is following guidelines adopted by Orthodox rabbinical authorities to curtail extravagant spending on weddings.

The New York Times

The hospitals said they were following guidelines by the state department of public health.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, explicitly state which "guidelines" are being referred to, providing a direct link or citation for clarity.

Common error

Avoid generically stating that you are "following guidelines" without specifying which ones. Provide specific context or sources so your audience knows exactly what standards you are adhering to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following guidelines" functions as a verb phrase combined with a noun, indicating the action of adhering to or complying with established standards or recommendations. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, from schools to scientific research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "following guidelines" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe adherence to established standards, recommendations, or protocols. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across various contexts, particularly in Science and News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure you specify which guidelines are being followed to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as ""adhering to directives"" or "complying with regulations" can add nuance depending on the intended meaning. Understanding its function and purpose will help you use "following guidelines" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhering to directives

Focuses on the act of sticking closely to specific instructions or commands.

complying with regulations

Emphasizes obedience to legal or mandatory rules.

observing protocols

Highlights the careful attention to established procedures.

acting in accordance with standards

Stresses behavior that aligns with defined benchmarks of quality or performance.

conforming to specifications

Implies alignment with detailed requirements or technical criteria.

upholding procedures

Focuses on maintaining and supporting established methods or processes.

abiding by recommendations

Stresses the act of accepting and following suggestions or advice.

respecting the rules

Focuses on showing consideration and obedience to established regulations.

sticking to instructions

Implies a close and unwavering adherence to given directives.

heeding advice

Highlights the attention given to and the act of following suggestions.

FAQs

How can I use "following guidelines" in a sentence?

You can use "following guidelines" to describe adhering to specific rules or recommendations. For example: "The team ensured project success by "adhering to directives"."

What's a good alternative to "following guidelines"?

Alternatives include "complying with regulations", "observing protocols", or "acting in accordance with standards", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "following guidelines" or "implementing guidelines"?

"Following guidelines" implies adherence, while "implementing guidelines" suggests putting them into practice. Choose the phrase that best reflects the action being described.

What is the difference between "following guidelines" and "following orders"?

"Following guidelines" refers to adhering to general recommendations or best practices, whereas "following orders" implies obedience to specific commands or instructions from a superior.