shall comply with

USAGE SUMMARY

'shall comply with' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in contracts or other formal documents to indicate a promise or commitment to do something. For example, "The contractor shall comply with all applicable laws in performing this work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Elevator equipment shall comply with the provisions of the concept of universal design.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

(a) Each multi-channel video programming distributor shall comply with the requirements of this subpart.

Cornell University

A local financial plan under paragraph (1) shall comply with all applicable Federal and tribal laws.

Cornell University

(b) All operators shall comply with the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, Cal.

Cornell University

The Secretary shall comply with this section not later than 180 days after November 13 , 2000

Cornell University

The hazard warning sign shall comply with paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this standard.

Cornell University

(7) All labeling statements required by this section shall comply with the following type size requirements.

Cornell University

The applicant shall comply with such rules or regulations as may be prescribed by the Director.

Cornell University

Each party shall comply with all applicable law including, without limitation, the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

The Guardian

9.8 Each party shall comply with all applicable law including, without limitation, the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

The Guardian

The owner or operator shall comply with the applicable provisions of paragraphs (b), (c)(2), and (e) of this section.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shall comply with" in formal documents where you want to emphasize a mandatory obligation. It's particularly appropriate in legal contracts, regulations, and policy statements.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "shall comply with" can sound overly formal in casual writing. Opt for phrases like "must follow" or "needs to meet" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall comply with" functions as a directive expression. It is used to impose an obligation or requirement on a subject to adhere to specific rules, laws, standards, or guidelines. Ludwig AI shows that it is used mostly in legal or formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

Formal & Business

25%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shall comply with" is a formal phrase used to express a strict obligation or requirement to adhere to specific rules, regulations, or standards. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in legal and official documents. It is most frequently used in academic, formal business, and news contexts, emphasizing its role in ensuring adherence. When writing, use this phrase to reinforce mandatory obligations. If the situation is less formal, consider using "must adhere to" or "is required to follow" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must adhere to

Replaces "shall comply with" with a stronger sense of obligation.

is required to follow

Emphasizes the mandatory aspect of following rules.

is obliged to meet

Highlights the obligation to fulfill specific requirements.

is bound to observe

Indicates a formal commitment to following guidelines.

needs to conform to

Focuses on aligning with established standards.

must abide by

Implies a willingness to accept and follow the rules.

is subject to

Highlights that one is under the control or influence of something.

should adhere to

Uses a weaker expression suggesting recommendation but not strict obligation.

agrees to uphold

Expresses an agreement to maintain or defend something.

undertakes to fulfill

Promises or commits to carry out certain duties or requirements.

FAQs

How to use "shall comply with" in a sentence?

The phrase "shall comply with" indicates a mandatory obligation to adhere to a set of rules, regulations, or standards. For example: "The contractor shall comply with all safety regulations."

What can I say instead of "shall comply with"?

You can use alternatives like "must adhere to", "is required to follow", or "needs to conform to" depending on the context.

Is "shall comply with" formal or informal?

"Shall comply with" is considered a formal phrase. It is best suited for legal, official, and professional contexts where a strong sense of obligation is intended.

What is the difference between "shall comply with" and "should comply with"?

"Shall comply with" expresses a strict, mandatory obligation, while "should comply with" suggests a recommendation or best practice that is not strictly enforced.