following the rules

USAGE SUMMARY

"following the rules" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to emphasize that someone is following the rules that have been established, for example, "She was careful to always follow the rules of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I want to play, but I'm following the rules I have to follow.

The New York Times

Following the rules Let's be honest, not just following the rules but constant upkeep of the rules.

The Guardian - Film

"It teaches following the rules of nature".

The New York Times - Magazine

He had trouble following the rules.

The New York Times

It intimidates others into following the rules".

The New York Times

But following the rules is not easy.

The New York Times

You are following the rules.

The Guardian

Fairness is achieved by following the rules.

The New York Times

"Local authorities have been following the rules.

The Guardian

The officials were just following the rules.

The New York Times

We've been following the rules and guidelines here.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, consider stronger synonyms such as "adhering to regulations" or "complying with guidelines" to convey a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience understands the unwritten or implicit rules within a situation. Always clarify the rules or guidelines to ensure everyone is on the same page, especially in multicultural or diverse settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following the rules" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It commonly appears as the subject of a sentence or within a prepositional phrase, describing the act of adhering to established guidelines. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "following the rules" is a grammatically sound and widely used gerund phrase that describes adhering to established guidelines. According to Ludwig, it is applicable across various contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media. While "following the rules" is generally straightforward, clarifying which specific rules are being followed can enhance clarity. Using synonyms like "adhering to guidelines" or "complying with regulations" may add formality when appropriate. Overall, Ludwig confirms "following the rules" is a reliable and versatile phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhering to the guidelines

Replaces "rules" with "guidelines", emphasizing a more advisory rather than mandatory set of instructions.

complying with the regulations

Substitutes "rules" with "regulations", suggesting a more formal and legally binding set of directives.

obeying the law

Replaces "rules" with "law", which refers to a specific type of rule established by an authority.

abiding by the principles

Uses "principles" instead of "rules", indicating a focus on ethical or foundational guidelines.

conforming to the standards

Replaces "rules" with "standards", highlighting adherence to established levels of quality or performance.

respecting the protocols

Uses "protocols" instead of "rules", focusing on a set of procedures or etiquette.

observing the directives

Substitutes "rules" with "directives", suggesting a more formal and specific set of instructions.

staying within the bounds

Replaces "following" with "staying within" and "rules" with "bounds", emphasizing limitations and restrictions.

upholding the policies

Uses "policies" instead of "rules", referring to established organizational guidelines.

keeping to the script

Substitutes "rules" with "script", suggesting adherence to a pre-defined plan or procedure.

FAQs

How can I use "following the rules" in a sentence?

You can use "following the rules" to describe actions that comply with established guidelines. For example, "The success of the project depended on everyone "following the rules"".

What are some alternatives to "following the rules"?

Alternatives include "adhering to guidelines", "complying with regulations", or "obeying the law" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "following the rules" or "follow the rules"?

"Following the rules" is a gerund phrase, often used as a subject or part of a longer sentence. "Follow the rules" is an imperative statement, directly instructing someone to comply. Both are grammatically correct but serve different purposes.

What's the difference between "following the rules" and "bending the rules"?

"Following the rules" means adhering to established guidelines, while "bending the rules" implies deviating from them, often to achieve a specific outcome or to adapt to unusual circumstances.