rules are obeyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rules are obeyed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing compliance, governance, or behavior in relation to established rules or regulations. Example: "In a well-functioning society, rules are obeyed to maintain order and fairness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It has 25 employees, and uses volunteers to police its Web site to make sure rules are obeyed.

The New York Times

Two poll-clerks (Catherine Tate and Nina Sosanya) squat behind a desk while the presiding officer (a wonderfully twitchy Mark Gatiss, relishing his brief moment of authority) ensures the electoral rules are obeyed.

The Guardian

To determine an adaptive direction of the search pattern, certain rules are obeyed.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

If the first two rules are obeyed, complexity added over time can be just about invisible to the user.

Forbes

Be sure that all the fire rules are obeyed".

Wikipedia

Paintball can sting but will not hurt if all rules are obeyed, so make sure your marker is set at the allowed speed and that you always wear your mask.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Ira objected that George was not a corecipient, but George insisted that the rules be obeyed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Milan, the sight of a humble homemade panino has become a rallying cry, a symbol for an ideological fight that has pitted a handful of parents against school administrators and local officials, raising questions about the limits of parental rights, entrenched views about food, and demands by school officials that rules be obeyed at all costs.

The Guardian

If the Matthiessen rule is obeyed, the resistivity may be represented as a sum ρ(T) = ρ0 + ρe-ph (T), where ρ0 is the residual resistivity that does not depend on temperature as described earlier.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Later they(19) showed that the valence sum rule is obeyed by their density-functional-theory simulation of hydrated ions in liquid water as described in section 25.3.

Chemical Reviews

In a later paper(125) they show that the compressibility rule is obeyed by an ab initio simulation of MgSiO3 at 120 GPa.

Chemical Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use active voice constructions where appropriate to emphasize who is doing the obeying, such as "citizens obey the rules."

Common error

Be specific when using the phrase "rules are obeyed". Clearly define what "rules" you are referring to, otherwise, the statement becomes ambiguous and loses its impact. For example, specify "traffic laws" or "company policies" instead of just "rules".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rules are obeyed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the rules are the recipient of the action. As supported by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rules are obeyed" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate compliance with established regulations. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears across a range of contexts, from News & Media to Science, suggesting versatility in application. For enhanced clarity, it's recommended to specify the 'rules' in question. Alternatives such as "rules are followed" offer similar meanings with slight differences in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rules are followed

This alternative is a more common and direct way of expressing compliance.

rules are adhered to

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes sticking to the rules.

regulations are obeyed

This alternative is more specific, referring to formal regulations rather than general rules.

laws are obeyed

This alternative is even more specific, referring to legal laws rather than other types of rules.

protocols are obeyed

This alternative is more technical and refers to specific procedures or protocols.

directives are obeyed

This alternative implies a hierarchical structure where directives are issued and followed.

guidelines are obeyed

This alternative refers to recommendations that are followed, though perhaps not as strictly as rules.

precepts are obeyed

This alternative is more formal and often refers to moral or ethical guidelines.

commandments are obeyed

This alternative carries a strong religious connotation, referring to divine laws.

stipulations are obeyed

This alternative means that a particular condition is met or respected.

FAQs

What does "rules are obeyed" mean?

The phrase "rules are obeyed" means that people or entities follow and comply with established regulations, laws, or guidelines. It indicates adherence to a set of standards or norms.

What can I say instead of "rules are obeyed"?

You can use alternatives like "rules are followed", "rules are adhered to", or "laws are obeyed" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "rules are obeyed" or "rules are followed"?

Both "rules are obeyed" and "rules are followed" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Rules are followed" is generally more common and less formal, while "rules are obeyed" can sound slightly more authoritative.

In what contexts is "rules are obeyed" commonly used?

The phrase "rules are obeyed" is often used in contexts related to law, governance, sports, and general conduct where compliance with established guidelines is crucial. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to regulations for maintaining order and fairness.