might not comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might not comply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of not adhering to rules, regulations, or requests. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we might not comply with the deadline set for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Others might not comply because of untreated depression.

The New York Times

He added that thousands of permits allowing the operation of industrial facilities might not comply with the law "because their monitoring requirements are invalid".

The New York Times

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, the Democratic candidate for vice president, said today that Florida election officials should reconsider their rejection of hundreds of military ballots from overseas, even if they might not comply with the law.

The New York Times

American Airlines and Delta Air Lines said Wednesday that more than 200 of their planes might not comply with Federal Aviation Administration rules for securing wire bundles, and that they were taking the planes out of service for inspections.

The New York Times

The company's most recent quarterly filing allowed that a significant portion of its sales might not comply with applicable state laws and regulations on the delivery and sale of contact lenses.

The New York Times

(AP) NATIONAL A15-23 Election Fight Continues In Court and Recount Halls Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, the Democratic candidate for vice president, said Florida election officials should reconsider their rejection of hundreds of military ballots from overseas, even if they might not comply with the law, a retreat from the position the Democrats had taken since Friday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But he acknowledged that it's not finalized and all parties might not automatically comply.

Independent

If Hadid does not comply, building officials might ask the city attorney to file criminal misdemeanor charges, Zamperini said.

Los Angeles Times

Those practitioners who did not comply with guidelines might believe that those guidelines did not address particular features of their clinical patient populations [ 22].

BMC Psychiatry

Moreover, reporters might agree to this stipulation but then not comply.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Thus the bank's central position is that, since it is so doggone obvious that the homeowners can't pay their mortgages, the fact that the affidavits might not have complied with the law shouldn't cause anyone to break into a sweat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "might not comply" when a stronger, more definitive statement is warranted. "Will not comply" or "refuses to comply" can be more appropriate in certain contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "might not comply" can sound vague or hesitant in formal reports or legal documents. Replace it with stronger, more decisive language like "is unlikely to comply" or "will likely fail to comply" to convey a greater sense of certainty or concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might not comply" functions as a modal phrase expressing a possibility or a degree of uncertainty regarding adherence to a rule, law, request, or standard. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its usage in various contexts, including legal, business, and health-related scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "might not comply" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the possibility of failing to adhere to a rule, law, or request. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to indicate uncertainty rather than a definitive refusal. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying what the subject might not comply with. Alternatives like "may not adhere" or "could fail to comply" offer similar meanings, but the choice depends on the specific nuance and context. In formal writing, stronger language might be preferred to avoid sounding hesitant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may not adhere

Replaces "might" with "may", indicating a similar level of possibility but can sometimes suggest a slightly stronger likelihood.

could fail to comply

Substitutes "might" with "could" and uses "fail to" instead of "not", emphasizing the potential negative outcome of non-compliance.

may not conform

Replaces "comply" with "conform", shifting the focus to alignment with standards or expectations.

might not follow

Uses "follow" instead of "comply", suggesting a failure to adhere to instructions or guidelines.

might not observe

Employs "observe" in place of "comply", implying a disregard for rules or regulations.

might not respect

Substitutes "comply" with "respect", indicating a lack of deference to authority or established protocols.

may not abide by

Replaces "might not comply" with "may not abide by", suggesting a potential unwillingness to adhere to a particular rule or agreement.

could be non-compliant

Rephrases the sentence to use the adjective "non-compliant", focusing on the state of not meeting requirements.

might be in violation

Shifts the focus to the potential legal or ethical implications of non-compliance.

might not fulfill obligations

Replaces "comply" with a broader phrase indicating a failure to meet required duties or responsibilities.

FAQs

What does "might not comply" mean?

The phrase "might not comply" indicates a possibility that someone or something will not adhere to a rule, law, request, or standard. It suggests uncertainty rather than a definite refusal.

How can I use "might not comply" in a sentence?

You can use "might not comply" to express a potential failure to adhere to something. For example, "The company might not comply with the new regulations due to the high costs involved."

What can I say instead of "might not comply"?

You can use alternatives like "may not adhere", "could fail to comply", or "may not conform" depending on the context.

Is "might not comply" formal or informal?

"Might not comply" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or legal settings, consider using a more precise alternative such as "is unlikely to comply" or "may be in violation".