must comply with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must comply with" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is often used to express a requirement or obligation. For example, "All employees must comply with the company's safety regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Insurers must comply with numerous rules.

The Economist

He must comply with these standards.

Independent

"We must comply with the bailiffs.

The New York Times

§ 2521.35 Who must comply with matching requirements?

Cornell University

Language programs must comply with FLAS guidelines.

University of California, Berkeley

Additionally, they must comply with many hygiene standards and regulations.

Sealing Technology

Therefore, parenteral emulsions must comply with several specifications.

Chemical Engineering Science

He must comply with any blood, urine and breathalyzer tests.

The Guardian

Finally, a state must comply with its international law obligations.

The Guardian - Opinion

County contracts stipulate that shelters must comply with town codes.

The New York Times

Further, they say their users must comply with copyright law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing legal or formal documents, use "must comply with" to clearly state mandatory requirements.

Common error

Avoid using "must comply with" when you actually mean "must agree with". Compliance refers to adhering to rules or regulations, while agreement implies consensus or shared opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must comply with" functions as a directive, indicating a mandatory requirement or obligation. It is used to express that someone is legally, ethically, or contractually bound to adhere to certain rules, regulations, or standards. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must comply with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a mandatory requirement or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found across various authoritative sources, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a binding obligation and is appropriate for the formal or professional tone of your writing. Consider alternatives such as "is required to adhere to" or "is obligated to follow" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is legally required to conform to

Specifically denotes a legal requirement to "conform to" standards or regulations.

is obligated to follow

Replaces "comply with" with "follow", highlighting the duty to obey instructions or rules.

is required to adhere to

Uses "adhere to" instead of "comply with", emphasizing a stricter adherence to rules.

is bound to observe

Emphasizes a legal or moral obligation to "observe" the rules, instead of simply complying.

is compelled to abide by

Uses "abide by" to show a sense of enforcement or compulsion in following the rules.

is under an obligation to meet

Focuses on the obligation to "meet" specific standards or requirements.

has a responsibility to adhere to

Shifts the focus to the "responsibility" of adhering, rather than a simple compliance.

is duty-bound to uphold

Highlights the moral or ethical duty to "uphold" certain principles or rules.

is accountable to observe

Highlights that someone is "accountable" to observe the rules, which implies responsibility for the outcome.

is expected to respect

Uses "respect" instead of comply which changes the meaning to showing appreciation and being mindful of regulations.

FAQs

How can I use "must comply with" in a sentence?

Use "must comply with" to indicate a requirement or obligation, such as, "All employees "must comply with" the company's safety regulations."

What are some alternatives to "must comply with"?

You can use alternatives like "is required to adhere to", "is obligated to follow", or "is legally required to conform to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "should comply with" instead of "must comply with"?

"Should comply with" suggests a recommendation, whereas ""must comply with"" indicates a mandatory requirement. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of obligation.

What's the difference between "must comply with" and "must abide by"?

While both phrases convey a sense of obligation, ""must comply with"" often refers to specific rules or regulations, whereas "must abide by" can refer to broader principles or agreements.