it was adhered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was adhered" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would typically be "it was adhered to," which indicates that something was followed or complied with. Example: "The policy was adhered to by all employees to ensure a safe working environment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, we examined the secondary structure of the protein while it was adhered to aluminum hydroxide.

Vaccine

In those cases where a guideline was reported as being present, we do not know how well it was adhered to.

BMC Anesthesiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The organization posted a statement on its Web site on Wednesday that said it was adhering to its bylaws, which were written in the late 1970s, when "the member schools at that time all recognized Sunday as the day of worship".

The New York Times - Sports

The United States removed North Korea from its terrorism list last weekend after the North agreed to a compromise plan to let American and other inspectors verify that it was adhering to its promises to dismantle its nuclear weapons program.

The New York Times

Mr. Hendricks rubbed his hand over a section of foil to see how it was adhering.

The New York Times

"And people appreciate when it's adhered to.

The New York Times - Style

But is it being adhered to?The work by the Liège team suggests not.

The Economist

The American Chemistry Council, an industry group, issued a statement, saying the current exposure limit was "appropriate to protect against silica-related disease, provided it is adhered to strictly".

The New York Times

However, those of us who argue for multilateral action under a modernised rule of international law need to face up to the uncomfortable fact of parts of it being adhered to in no more than lip-service.

The Guardian - Opinion

Any deal will have to be bolstered by a rigorous effort to ensure it is adhered to.

BBC

It is adhered to the top of a glass slide.

Genome Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "adhered to" when describing compliance with rules, principles, or agreements. For example: "The code of conduct was adhered to strictly".

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition "to" after "adhered" when indicating compliance. Saying "it was adhered" is incomplete; always specify what it was adhered to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was adhered", while grammatically incomplete without the preposition "to", functions as part of a passive construction. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not correct in standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was adhered" appears in several contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect without the addition of the preposition "to". The intended meaning is to convey compliance or attachment to something. As Ludwig AI explains, the completed form "it was adhered to" is the accurate way to express this idea. The phrase is relatively rare, with most sources being news or scientific publications. Thus, when aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, always remember to use "it was adhered to" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was complied with

Focuses on the action of following rules or guidelines.

it was obeyed

Highlights the act of following rules or authority.

it was observed

Focuses on the act of adhering to customs or practices.

it was fastened

Emphasizes the act of being physically attached or secured.

it was heeded

Emphasizes paying attention to advice or warnings.

it was glued

Highlights the use of adhesive material for attachment.

it was affixed

Suggests a more formal or official attachment.

it was honored

Implies fulfilling a commitment or promise.

it was stuck

Indicates being joined to something, often unintentionally.

it was bonded

Implies a strong, lasting connection.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "it was adhered" in a sentence?

The correct usage is "it was adhered to", as in "The policy "it was adhered to" by all staff members".

What is a more formal way to say "it was adhered to"?

A more formal alternative is "it was complied with", as in "The regulations "it was complied with" without exception".

Is there a difference between "it was adhered to" and "it was followed"?

While both convey compliance, "it was adhered to" often implies a more formal or strict compliance, whereas "it was followed" is more general. For example, "The protocol "it was followed" closely".

When should I use "it was adhered to" versus "it was attached"?

"It was adhered to" is for abstract concepts like rules or agreements, while "it was attached" refers to physical attachment. For instance, "The sticker "it was attached" to the document".