nominally compliant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nominally compliant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that meets the minimum requirements or standards in a superficial or technical sense, without necessarily being fully compliant in practice. Example: "The software is nominally compliant with the new regulations, but further testing is needed to ensure full adherence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although Germany is nominally compliant with WTO rules, in reality, all manner of legal red tape is employed to discourage imports.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Comparisons are made with experimental data, relating to nominally isotropic fibre arrays, with and without the presence of relatively compliant matrices.

Acta Materialia

Nominally, there are close links.

The Economist

Compliant but antsy.

The New York Times - Health

(The most compliant. Died).

The New York Times - Arts

"Compliant girl seeks master".

The Guardian

Later, I found him compliant.

The New Yorker

To make her more compliant?

The New Yorker

Now these people are nominally their masters.

The Economist

THE case, nominally, is Medellín v Texas.

The Economist

Nominally, it prohibits dogs in the water.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nominally compliant", be sure to clarify the extent and limitations of the compliance. Provide specific details about what aspects are compliant and what aspects may not fully meet the requirements.

Common error

Avoid using "nominally compliant" when the subject is, in fact, fully compliant. Misusing the term can create unnecessary doubt or suspicion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nominally compliant" is to act as a descriptive adjective modifying a noun. It indicates a state of compliance that exists more in name than in complete reality. As Ludwig examples show, it qualifies nouns referring to rules or entities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nominally compliant" describes a state where something meets the basic requirements of a standard or regulation, but might not be fully compliant in practice. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical usage is correct. It is often used in news, business, and scientific contexts to indicate a nuanced level of compliance that warrants further scrutiny. While the phrase is not very common, it is useful for expressing situations where adherence to rules is superficial. Related phrases include "technically compliant" and "formally compliant". When using "nominally compliant", it's best practice to clarify the specific limitations of the compliance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

technically compliant

Highlights adherence from a technical perspective, possibly overlooking practical aspects.

formally compliant

Emphasizes compliance in a formal or official sense, even if the spirit of the requirement is not met.

ostensibly compliant

Suggests that compliance is claimed or appears to be the case, but may be doubtful upon closer inspection.

superficially compliant

Focuses on the lack of depth or thoroughness in the compliance.

apparently compliant

Indicates compliance based on initial observation, without certainty.

in name only compliant

Highlights that compliance exists only in title or designation, not in reality.

marginally compliant

Shows that the degree of compliance is very small.

barely compliant

Indicates the narrowest possible margin of compliance.

theoretically compliant

Indicates that compliance exists in theory, but may not be practical.

nominally in accordance

Emphasizes the agreement with a standard or rule is merely titular.

FAQs

How can I use "nominally compliant" in a sentence?

You can use "nominally compliant" to describe something that technically meets the requirements but might not fully adhere to the spirit or practical application of those requirements. For instance, "The software is "nominally compliant" with the new regulations, but further testing is needed."

What does "nominally compliant" mean?

The phrase "nominally compliant" means that something is compliant in name only or according to a strict, technical interpretation of the rules, but might not be fully compliant in practice.

What can I say instead of "nominally compliant"?

Alternatives to "nominally compliant" include "technically compliant", "formally compliant", or "ostensibly compliant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "nominally compliant" and "fully compliant"?

"Nominally compliant" suggests a minimal level of compliance, potentially only on paper, whereas "fully compliant" indicates that all aspects of the requirements are met comprehensively. Something that is "nominally compliant" may still have shortcomings or areas needing improvement.