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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
rule applies for
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "rule applies for" is not correct in standard written English.
A more appropriate phrase would be "rule applies to." Example: "The rule applies to all participants in the competition."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Academia
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
29 human-written examples
A similar rule applies for a 5/1 and 7/1 ARM.
News & Media
The E.P.A.'s proposed rule applies for the most part to the future use of asbestos.
News & Media
This rule applies for all individuals, regardless of their method of accounting.
Academia
Bright colours can be a bold statement and with so much fabric it's sensible to keep accessories neutral; the same rule applies for printed designs.
News & Media
Notice that nowhere so far have I mentioned mass, this rule applies for all matter and energy, whether they have mass or not!
Academia
"There is no one in the North named Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il Jong-ilere is no doubt the sand rule applies for Jong-un," Park, who defectheren 2008, sais.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
31 human-written examples
This rule applied for every first-time occurrence of each new mistake you made.
News & Media
iNo-dilution of ownership was changed in 2013; however, this rule applied for SIEs created before this year.
Science
Exceptions to the rule apply for emergencies, students running errands for parents, on their way to work or if the student is with a parent.
News & Media
One simple rule applied for time attribute assignment turned to be effective for diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity but not for CAD and medication.
Your recourse: Unfortunately, a different set of rules applies for international than domestic travel, and the liability limits may be considerably lower.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use "applies to" instead of "applies for" to ensure grammatical correctness in your writing. This simple change significantly improves clarity and credibility.
Common error
Avoid using "for" after "applies"; the correct preposition is "to". Using the incorrect preposition can confuse your audience and undermine your message.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "rule applies for" functions as a statement indicating the relevance or applicability of a rule. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that a more appropriate phrase would be "rule applies to."
Frequent in
News & Media
32%
Academia
24%
Science
24%
Less common in
Wiki
16%
Encyclopedias
4%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "rule applies for" appears frequently across various sources, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition is "to". According to Ludwig AI, using "rule applies to" ensures clarity and credibility. Despite its common usage, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science, writers should opt for the grammatically correct alternative or related phrases like "rule is applicable to" to maintain professional standards. The frequency of this error underscores the importance of precise language and attention to grammatical detail.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
standard applies to
Replaces 'rule' with 'standard' and uses the correct preposition 'to'.
rule is applicable to
Replaces 'applies for' with 'is applicable to', focusing on the rule's suitability.
regulation pertains to
Substitutes 'rule' with 'regulation' and 'applies for' with 'pertains to', indicating relevance.
provision governs
Uses 'provision' in place of 'rule' and 'governs' instead of 'applies for', suggesting a controlling aspect.
stipulation is in effect for
Replaces 'rule' with 'stipulation' and uses 'is in effect for' to indicate the rule's active status.
directive is relevant to
Changes 'rule' to 'directive' and 'applies for' to 'is relevant to', highlighting pertinence.
principle is valid for
Substitutes 'rule' with 'principle' and keeps 'is valid for' to show legitimacy.
guideline holds for
Replaces 'rule' with 'guideline' and 'applies for' with 'holds for', indicating applicability.
requirement is operative for
Uses 'requirement' instead of 'rule' and 'is operative for' to denote functionality.
law is in force for
Substitutes 'rule' with 'law' and employs 'is in force for' to underline legal standing.
FAQs
What is the correct way to say "rule applies for"?
The correct phrasing is "rule applies to". The preposition "to" is used to indicate the object or situation that the rule affects.
What can I say instead of "rule applies for"?
You can use alternatives like "rule is applicable to", "regulation pertains to", or "provision governs" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "rule applies for" or "rule applies to"?
The correct phrase is "rule applies to". The phrase "rule applies for" is grammatically incorrect.
Is "policy applies for" correct? What's a better alternative?
No, "policy applies for" is not correct. A better alternative is "policy applies to". Examples include: the same "rules apply for" ambulances, Mr. Dixon said.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested