obeyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obeyed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate compliance with a command, rule, or request. Example: "The dog obeyed its owner's command to sit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

As long as national laws are obeyed, the fundamental European right to freedom of movement must be upheld.

The Guardian

All they knew was that I had arrived from Planet BBC and on that basis they decided that I should probably be listened to – if not necessarily obeyed.

The Guardian - Opinion

The SS guards obeyed and the car drove to freedom – allowing the men to become four of only 144 prisoners to successfully escape Auschwitz.

The Guardian

Most of the rebels, having obeyed Mr Ocalan's orders to halt their attacks and by and large to withdraw from Turkish soil, are deeply reluctant to surrender unconditionally the last card available to Mr Ocalan.

The Economist

Disobedient security services helped finish Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines and Slobodan Milosevic in Serbia.Even when orders are obeyed, as Steinbeck noted, repression can ultimately strengthen the opposition.

The Economist

Some judges obeyed Judge Moore.

The Economist

Others obeyed Judge Granade.

The Economist

As their smuggler's boat was about to sink, the Norwegian captain of a commercial ship, the Tampa, obeyed international treaty obligations by going to their rescue.

The Economist

The second was Marco Rubio of Florida, a tea-party hero and likely contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.While conceding that it would be unfair if lawbreakers secured papers ahead of migrants who had obeyed the rules a key complaint of conservatives opposed to previous amnesty plans Mr Rubio spoke warmly of his own immigrant family.

The Economist

His style is to hand down orders and expect to be obeyed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context of the action. If the action was more about adherence to principles rather than direct orders, alternatives like "complied with" or "adhered to" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "obeyed" when the action is merely a suggestion or a polite request being fulfilled. "Obeyed" implies a power dynamic that might not exist, and a more neutral term like "followed" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obeyed" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "obey". It indicates that an action of following a command or rule has been completed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "obeyed" is the past tense form of "obey", signifying adherence to commands or rules. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, according to the Ludwig examples. When writing, remember that "obeyed" implies compliance with authority, so consider alternatives like "complied with" or "followed" if the context doesn't involve a strong power dynamic. The usage analysis highlights its strong presence in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian, which reinforces its credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Complied with

Implies adherence to specific rules or requests.

Followed orders

Specifically refers to adhering to commands, often in a hierarchical structure.

Adhered to

Suggests a consistent and faithful observance of rules or principles.

Conformed to

Implies aligning with established standards or norms.

Abided by

Indicates acceptance and adherence to a law, agreement, or decision.

Heeded

Suggests paying attention to and following advice or a warning.

Observed

Focuses on watching and acting according to a law, custom, or practice.

Carried out

Refers to executing or completing a task or order.

Executed

Emphasizes the performance or completion of a task, often with precision.

Submitted to

Highlights the act of yielding to authority or control.

FAQs

How can I use "obeyed" in a sentence?

You can use "obeyed" to indicate compliance with a command, rule, or law. For example, "The soldiers "obeyed" the general's orders" or "The company "obeyed" all environmental regulations".

What are some alternatives to the word "obeyed"?

Some alternatives to "obeyed" include "complied with", "followed", "adhered to", or "abided by". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "obeyed" and "complied with"?

"Obeyed" typically implies following a direct command or order, while "complied with" suggests conforming to rules, regulations, or standards. For example, you obey a parent, but comply with a law.

Is it better to say "obeyed" or "followed" in a formal context?

Both "obeyed" and "followed" are acceptable in formal contexts, but "obeyed" carries a stronger sense of authority and subordination. If the emphasis is on the authority, "obeyed" is more fitting; otherwise, "followed" is a neutral alternative.