obeying

USAGE SUMMARY

'obeying' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is the present participle form of the verb 'obey', meaning to follow the commands, orders, or instructions of someone. Example: The children were quietly obeying their teacher's instructions, lining up in single file to go to recess.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Google has come under fire for its "clumsy" approach to obeying Europe's new "right to be forgotten" law, after it began blocking some name-based searches to articles on the websites of UK news organisations.

The Guardian - Tech

Is he, like Sutcliffe, obeying voices in his head telling him to murder victims?

The Guardian

Obeying diktats from on high is not how things work at Headingley, where the former fast bowler has full control over first-team matters alongside the captain, Andrew Gale.

The Guardian - Sport

Now, Nargis's days consist of cooking, cleaning, and obeying orders.

The Guardian

There is no result from decades of neuroscientific research to suggest that the brain is anything other than a machine, made of ordinary atoms, employing ordinary forces and obeying the ordinary laws of nature.

The Economist

This will discourage firms from obeying yet another of Mr Abe's demands on businesses, which is to invest more at home.

The Economist

A series of barracks revolts forced him first into a law to end further prosecutions, then one that admitted "obeying orders" as a defence.

The Economist

The local newspaper, the Celebration Independent, cites cases of child abuse, battery, drug abuse and violent assault.Living in the town means obeying the rules of the Celebration Company, a Disney shell firm created to run the community in lieu of elected officials.

The Economist

He has repeatedly said that he will not prosecute people who were simply obeying orders ("this is a time for reflection, not retribution").

The Economist

But there are indeed fears of a longer-run rift within the alliance that cannot be allayed merely by denying their existence.This leaves Mr Hoon with three big jobs, which may be incompatible: preserving Britain's special defence relationship with America, obeying Mr Blair's order to use defence to burnish Britain's European credentials, and preventing a split within NATO.

The Economist

It was a brand of speech obeying its own strict laws, which had evolved into an art form.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about hierarchical structures, consider using "obeying" to accurately describe adherence to orders or rules. This emphasizes the structured aspect of compliance.

Common error

Avoid using "obeying" in casual conversation where a more relaxed term like "listening to" or "following" would be more appropriate. The term carries a tone of authority that might be out of place.

Linguistic Context

The word "obeying" functions primarily as a verb, specifically the present participle of the verb "obey". It is used to describe the action of complying with a command, law, or rule, often indicating a continuous or ongoing process. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obeying" is the present participle of "obey", indicating compliance with commands or rules, and is grammatically correct according to Ludwig AI. It is very common, particularly in news, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. While its use is generally neutral to formal, overuse in casual conversation should be avoided. Consider context and alternatives like "following orders" or "complying with" for specific nuances. Remember that "obeying" is best used when there's a clear element of authority or a formal structure in place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following orders

Focuses specifically on directives issued by a superior.

adhering to rules

Emphasizes sticking to a set of regulations or guidelines.

complying with regulations

Highlights fulfilling legal or mandated requirements.

submitting to authority

Stresses acceptance of and deference to power or control.

heeding instructions

Implies careful attention to and acting upon given guidance.

abiding by the law

Specifically refers to following legal statutes and principles.

carrying out commands

Suggests actively executing explicit instructions.

respecting guidelines

Indicates honoring and following recommended practices.

answering to mandates

Focuses on the act of being responsible and performing actions under official directives.

implementing prescriptions

Emphasizes that someone is putting into action guidelines.

FAQs

How is "obeying" used in a sentence?

"Obeying" functions as a present participle or gerund. For example, "The soldier was "obeying orders"" or "Obeying the rules is essential for a harmonious society".

What are some alternatives to "obeying"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "following orders", "complying with", or "adhering to".

Is it always correct to use "obeying"?

While grammatically correct, "obeying" should be used when there is an element of authority or a formal rule being followed. In less formal contexts, alternatives might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "obeying" and "following"?

"Obeying" implies a sense of duty or obligation towards a command, whereas "following" is a more general term that simply means going after or adhering to, without necessarily implying authority.