keep to the rules

USAGE SUMMARY

'keep to the rules' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize the importance of following rules or regulations. For example: "It's important to keep to the rules if you want to be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The difficulty arises if the fragile balance is broken, and if the discipline required to keep to the rules is lost.

Independent

To add to the fun, a new commission is due to start on November 1st, and the man partly charged with ensuring that governments keep to the rules is Pierre Moscovici, Mr Sapin's predecessor.

The Economist

If it doesn't keep to the rules, it won't be in business for long -- unless, of course, it's "too big to fail".

Los Angeles Times

"We will open negotiations, we will make every effort, but we must keep to the rules because Europe is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law," he said.

Los Angeles Times

People on Reddit will be interested in your topic and as long as you keep to the rules, you should gain a lot of traffic.] Make your website look professional.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"He wanted to keep to the rule of St. Francis to the letter by following absolute poverty".

The New York Times

When eating, keep to the rule of how to hold things.

WikiHow

In this case, you may need to keep a credit card handy but keep to the rule that you should be able to cover the cost either immediately or within the non-interest payment period.

WikiHow

And they would like her to make sure everyone keeps to the rules.

The Economist

Dick added: "I am happy that UKA kept to the rules and selected Dwain.

Independent

Kenneth kept to the rules, though later said: "The church was wrong to require it".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about rules, be specific about which rules you're referring to, especially in contexts where multiple sets of rules might apply. For example, specify "company policy" or "game rules".

Common error

Avoid using "keep to the rules" when "guidelines" would be more appropriate. Rules are mandatory, while guidelines are suggestions. Understand the difference before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep to the rules" primarily functions as a directive phrase. It suggests the importance of adhering to a set of guidelines or regulations. This is confirmed by Ludwig, indicating its correct and usable nature in written English. It is often used to ensure compliance and maintain order.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep to the rules" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, indicating the necessity of adhering to established regulations or guidelines. Ludwig provides several examples of its usage across various contexts, primarily in news, media, and wiki sources. While uncommon, it serves the purpose of emphasizing compliance and maintaining order. Alternatives like "abide by the rules" and "adhere to the regulations" offer similar meanings, differing slightly in formality. Remember to be specific about which rules you’re referring to and differentiate between rules and guidelines to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abide by the rules

Replaces "keep to" with "abide by", indicating compliance with the rules.

stick to the guidelines

Similar to "keep to", but uses "stick to" for emphasis on not deviating from guidelines.

obey the rules

Uses "obey" which suggests a more dutiful compliance.

adhere to the regulations

Substitutes "rules" with "regulations", implying a more formal set of guidelines.

comply with the guidelines

Uses "comply with" and "guidelines" to convey adherence to a set of recommendations or standards.

follow the protocols

Replaces "rules" with "protocols", suggesting adherence to a specific set of procedures.

observe the regulations

Uses "observe" to highlight the act of following rules, specifically regulations.

respect the regulations

Highlights that one must respect the regulations.

maintain adherence to the rules

This expresses that it is important to maintain the adherence.

act in accordance with the rules

This expresses acting according to the rules.

FAQs

How can I use "keep to the rules" in a sentence?

You can use "keep to the rules" to emphasize the importance of following established guidelines or regulations. For example: "It is essential to "keep to the rules" to ensure fair play."

What are some alternatives to "keep to the rules"?

Alternatives include "abide by the rules", "adhere to the regulations", and "comply with the guidelines". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it better to say "keep to the rules" or "follow the rules"?

"Keep to the rules" and "follow the rules" are very similar. "Follow the rules" might be slightly more common, but both are perfectly acceptable. Use whichever sounds more natural in your context.

What is the difference between "rules" and "regulations" in the context of "keep to the rules"?

"Rules" are general principles or instructions, while "regulations" are more formal and often legally binding. You can "keep to the rules" of a game, but you would "adhere to the regulations" of a government agency.