hew closely

USAGE SUMMARY

'hew closely' is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
If you want to express the idea of 'following or adhering to something closely', you can use the phrase 'hew to'. For example, "We must hew to the terms of the agreement to ensure success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Randians tend to hew closely to the Kochs' line.

The New Yorker

Mr. bin Laden's messages, too, hew closely to traditional forms.

The New York Times

Others hew closely to a single party, while still spreading their wealth.

The New York Times

Criticism and baggage aside, the television show will hew closely to the radio show's format.

The New York Times - Arts

In fact, many works of organic art hew closely to Ms. Dissanayake's artifying code.

The New York Times - Science

Indeed, the processors in every cellphone, tablet and laptop still hew closely to von Neumann's architecture.

The New York Times - Books

He said she issues business opinions that hew closely to the precedents of her circuit and of the Supreme Court.

The New York Times

A number of other songs hew closely to this formula: electro-acoustic beats, lovey-dovey lyrics, alphanumeric spelling.

The New York Times - Arts

What Lilith Fair needs to sustain itself is a new generation of performers who hew closely to its ideals.

The New York Times - Arts

Some of the guidelines would hew closely to mortgage rules already required under the Dodd-Frank financial overhaul law.

The New York Times

But the planks hew closely to the views of his running mate, Paul Ryan, and the powerful right-wing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to express the idea of closely following something or adhering to it, use "hew to" instead of "hew closely". For example: "The project must "hew to" the budget."

Common error

A common mistake is adding 'closely' after 'hew' because it seems to strengthen the meaning. However, the correct idiom is "hew to", where 'hew' already implies a close adherence. Using "hew closely" dilutes and misrepresents the original meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hew closely" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is ""hew to"". When used (incorrectly), it functions as a verb phrase intended to express adherence or conformity. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect, and using ""hew to"" aligns with proper English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "hew closely" appears frequently in a variety of sources, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct idiom is ""hew to"", which means to adhere strictly to something. As Ludwig AI notes, using "hew closely" is a common error. To maintain grammatical correctness and clarity, it's best to use ""hew to"" when you want to express the idea of strict adherence or conformity. Keep in mind that "hew", by itself, implies closeness, making the addition of "closely" redundant and incorrect. To avoid making usage mistakes, favor ""hew to"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhere strictly

Emphasizes strict adherence, similar to following closely, but with a stronger connotation of rigidity.

follow meticulously

Focuses on precise and careful adherence to guidelines or instructions.

stick rigidly

Highlights an unyielding adherence to a particular plan or rule.

conform strictly

Implies aligning behavior or practices precisely with established standards.

comply fully

Stresses complete obedience or adherence to rules and regulations.

observe faithfully

Indicates a loyal and consistent adherence to customs or principles.

maintain rigorously

Suggests preserving or upholding something with strict and consistent effort.

hold steadfastly

Conveys a firm and unwavering commitment to a belief or principle.

keep faithfully

Implies a loyal and accurate adherence to promises or agreements.

abide rigorously

Emphasizes strict compliance with rules or regulations.

FAQs

What does "hew to" mean?

"Hew to" means to conform or adhere to something, especially a principle or plan. It implies a strict and unwavering adherence.

Is it correct to say "hew closely"?

No, the correct phrase is ""hew to"". Ludwig AI identifies "hew closely" as an incorrect phrase.

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

Here's an example: "The company must "hew to" its ethical guidelines."

What are some synonyms for ""hew to""?

Synonyms include "adhere to", "stick to", "conform to", and "follow closely".