go over the rules

USAGE SUMMARY

"go over the rules" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing a set of guidelines or regulations that must be followed. For example, "Let's go over the rules of the game before we start playing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Bertelli and Osmanski met before kickoff to go over the rules, which were decided on days earlier.

The New York Times - Sports

On the day before the Gulf Coast International Championships began, Shane Adams convened a meeting with the competitors to go over the rules.

The New York Times - Magazine

Julie Mellby, curator of graphic arts, will go over the rules and then, Dr. Robert Ruben, Class of 1955 and three-time Adler Prize winner, will give a talk on his collections and how he got started.

Princeton University

Officials said the matter was discussed by the members of the National Security Council, and the commander of the exercise, Rear Adm. James Service, was flown to Washington to go over the rules of engagement to insure that his pilots fired only in self-defense.

The New York Times

Step Three: Go over the rules.

Huffington Post

After she deflated some, she started to go over the rules, which, verbatim are "no sucking, no fucking".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He went over the rules again.

The New Yorker

We went over the rules again and then it was on.

The New Yorker

After a warm-up period, Jason Chance, a regional director for Alumni Football USA, went over the rules.

The New York Times - Sports

On Wednesday, we went over the rules at Clive's house.

The New Yorker

The precinct chairwoman, Peggy Hermann, reading from a Presidential Preference Poll Report Procedure sheet, went over the rules.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When preparing for a meeting or event, proactively "go over the rules" beforehand to ensure everyone is aligned and avoids misunderstandings.

Common error

Don't assume everyone already knows the rules; always "go over the rules" explicitly, even if it seems redundant. This ensures clarity and prevents unintentional violations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go over the rules" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It signifies the action of reviewing, explaining, or clarifying a set of established guidelines or regulations. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

33%

Academia

27%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go over the rules" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the action of reviewing or explaining a set of guidelines. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usage across various contexts, from News & Media to Wiki entries and academic settings. While the phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication, remember to avoid assuming prior knowledge and always explicitly "go over the rules" to ensure clear understanding and compliance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

review the guidelines

Emphasizes a more formal or official re-examination of established directives.

explain the regulations

Focuses on clarifying formal and often legally binding requirements.

outline the procedures

Highlights the step-by-step sequence or methodology to be followed.

walk through the policies

Suggests a detailed and step-by-step explanation of organizational directives.

clarify the terms

Focuses specifically on making the conditions or stipulations understandable.

reiterate the instructions

Implies repeating previously given directions for emphasis or clarity.

go through the details

Emphasizes a comprehensive examination of all aspects.

discuss the protocols

Highlights a conversation about established methods or conventions.

cover the basics

Focuses on the fundamental principles or elements that need to be understood.

present the framework

Highlights the structure or system within which rules are applied.

FAQs

How can I use "go over the rules" in a sentence?

You can use "go over the rules" to describe the act of reviewing or explaining a set of guidelines, such as "Before the game, the coach will "go over the rules" with the team".

What is a more formal way to say "go over the rules"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "review the guidelines" or "explain the regulations".

When is it important to "go over the rules"?

It's crucial to "go over the rules" before any activity where understanding and adherence to guidelines are essential, such as before a game, a competition, or when starting a new project.

What's the difference between ""go over the rules"" and "enforce the rules"?

"Go over the rules" means to explain or review them, while "enforce the rules" means to ensure they are followed and to apply consequences for violations.