legitimately comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimately comply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing adherence to rules, regulations, or standards in a manner that is genuine or lawful. Example: "To avoid penalties, it is essential for all employees to legitimately comply with the company's safety protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It was a unilateral federal action, and it has only increased uncertainty about how Californians can legitimately comply with state law," Ms. Harris said in an interview.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They would not comply.

The New York Times - Arts

The Fed should comply.

The New York Times

"We can't comply".

The New York Times

We will not comply".

The New York Times

Sometimes utilities comply.

Forbes

"I will not comply".

BBC

Comply, comply, comply," she said.

Huffington Post

Genis complied.

The New Yorker

I complied.

The New York Times

Owensboro complied.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legitimately comply" when you want to emphasize that the compliance is not just formal but also genuine and in accordance with the spirit of the law or regulation. It adds a layer of authenticity to the act of compliance.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimately comply" when simple "comply" suffices. "Legitimately comply" implies a deeper level of adherence, suggesting that the compliance is both legal and ethical. If the situation only requires basic adherence, stick with "comply".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimately comply" functions as an adverb-verb construction. The adverb "legitimately" modifies the verb "comply", emphasizing the manner in which the action of complying is performed—that is, in a lawful and genuine way. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Legitimately comply" signifies more than just following rules; it implies a genuine and lawful adherence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound, though its usage is relatively rare. The phrase functions as an adverb-verb construction, emphasizing the manner of compliance. While suitable for neutral and professional contexts, it is essential to reserve its usage for instances where the authenticity and integrity of compliance are paramount. To avoid redundancy, use "comply" when mere adherence is sufficient. Alternatives include "genuinely adhere", "lawfully obey", and "properly conform", each carrying nuances that adjust the emphasis according to the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legitimately adhere to

Focuses on the legitimate aspect of adherence instead of compliance, a slight change in focus.

authentically comply

Underscores the genuine nature of the compliance.

genuinely adhere

Focuses on the authenticity of the adherence rather than its legal validity.

lawfully obey

Emphasizes the legal aspect of obedience.

legally conform

Combines the legal aspect with the act of conforming.

properly conform

Highlights conforming to established standards in a correct manner.

validly adhere

Highlights the adherence is done in a valid and legal way.

rightfully abide by

Stresses the justice and correctness of following the rules.

truly respect

Replaces compliance with respect of the laws.

ethically fulfill

Changes compliance with fulfillment, and adds an ethical component.

FAQs

What does "legitimately comply" mean?

The phrase "legitimately comply" means to adhere to rules, regulations, or laws in a manner that is both lawful and genuine. It suggests that the compliance is not just a formality but is done in good faith.

How can I use "legitimately comply" in a sentence?

You can use "legitimately comply" to describe actions that are fully in accordance with the law and done with sincere intent. For example: "To avoid penalties, it is essential for all employees to "legitimately comply" with the company's safety protocols."

What are some alternatives to "legitimately comply"?

Some alternatives to "legitimately comply" include "genuinely adhere", "lawfully obey", or "properly conform", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "legitimately comply"? Why not just "comply"?

While "comply" simply means to follow the rules, "legitimately comply" emphasizes that the compliance is not only technically correct but also done with genuine intent and within the bounds of what is considered morally or ethically acceptable. If you only mean that an entity is following the letter of the law, “comply” is enough. Otherwise, the emphasis of legitimate intent should be present. If the intention is a crucial part of following regulations, rules, or laws, then adding “legitimately” is useful.