obey

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "obey" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone should comply with a command, instruction, or law. Example sentence: "The children were told to obey their parents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He asked Congolese soldiers and police to "protect citizens and not to obey perverse orders aimed at killing defenceless men and women".

The Guardian

"This doesn't show a great deal of confidence in the outcome of those negotiations that he has to say: my way or the highway, stay and obey the line or leave".

The Guardian

"Here in front of Independence Hall, I call on the president to obey the law," said Paul, who is at odds with McConnell, his fellow Kentucky Republican.

The Guardian

They exemplify Chinese philosopher and poet Lao Tzu's saying: "A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him.

The Guardian

Norton's research shows that allowing people to simply express in which areas they would like their taxes to be spent – without the collecting agency being required to actually obey their preference – increased their tax compliance by 16%.

The Guardian - Money

All they had to do to find salvation was to obey the Apple way.

The Guardian - Tech

"Laws have to be enforced and obeyed and individuals who do not obey court orders must be held to account.

The Guardian

"We announce our allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims... and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity, in hardship and ease, and to endure being discriminated against, and not to dispute about rule with those in power, except in case of evident infidelity regarding that which there is a proof from Allah," said the message.

The Guardian

But Hull's arts scene appears to resolutely obey the "build it and they will come" model.

The Guardian

They obey every rule of good jeans: medium-rise waist; straight leg; slim-ish but not skinny; raw, indigo denim (it'll fade); absolutely no branding, or unnecessary stitching, or rips, or diamanté.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But this was mostly on paper, the police trying to obey instructions from above without risking another protest on the streets.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "obey" to clearly indicate adherence to commands, laws, or rules. Ensure the subject and object of the verb are clearly defined for unambiguous meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "obey" when suggesting mere agreement or alignment. "Obey" implies a direct command or instruction being followed, not just passive concurrence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obey" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating who or what is being obeyed, such as "obey the law" or "obey their parents". As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies compliance with a command, instruction, or law.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "obey" is a versatile verb that signifies adherence to rules, laws, or commands. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It finds frequent use in various contexts, including news, formal business settings, and scientific publications, demonstrating its wide applicability. When using "obey", ensure clarity by specifying who or what is being obeyed. While generally neutral, its formality can shift based on context. Alternatives include "comply with" and "adhere to", but "obey" distinctly implies a sense of authority and obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comply with

Focuses on adhering to specific rules or regulations.

adhere to

Emphasizes sticking closely to guidelines or principles.

abide by

Suggests acceptance and following of rules or decisions.

follow instructions

Specifically refers to acting according to given directions.

respect authority

Highlights deference and obedience to those in charge.

be compliant

Implies willingness to conform to requirements or wishes.

submit to

Suggests yielding or surrendering to a superior force or authority.

toe the line

Means conforming to a particular standard or set of principles.

carry out orders

Specifically refers to executing commands or directives.

be disciplined

Implies adherence to a strict set of rules or behaviors.

FAQs

How can I use the word "obey" in a sentence?

You can use "obey" to indicate compliance with rules, laws, or commands. For example, "Citizens must obey the law" or "Soldiers are expected to obey orders".

What are some alternatives to "obey"?

Alternatives to "obey" include "comply with", "adhere to", and "abide by", each with slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "obey" and "follow"?

"Obey" implies a sense of authority and obligation, while "follow" is more general and can simply mean to go after or come after. You obey a command, but you might follow a suggestion or example.

When is it appropriate to use "obey" versus "respect"?

"Obey" is used when indicating compliance with a direct order or rule, while "respect" implies admiration or high regard. You might respect a leader's decisions but still choose not to "comply with" every command.