strictly follow

USAGE SUMMARY

"strictly follow" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something should be adhered to closely or rigorously. For example, "Employees must strictly follow all safety procedures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He thinks the seedings should strictly follow the ranking.

The New York Times - Sports

The particles would not strictly follow the field lines but would drift to the walls.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He votes his conscience, takes his time doing it and doesn't strictly follow any party line (James Traub, July 30).

The New York Times - Magazine

Sam's approach to Beckett is like a piece of classical music where we strictly follow the score.

The Guardian

It doesn't strictly follow the organisational principles that first seem to operate – head to toes, exterior to interior.

The Guardian - Books

That contrasts with the approach of many French cities that strictly follow the national ethic of laïcité, or state secularism.

The New York Times

"If you strictly follow the oath you have taken, that will definitely help restore peace to the nation".

The New York Times

"If you read the memo from Mr. Taft" -- the school principal, who like the students, is never seen -- "you'll find that you are required to strictly follow them".

The New York Times

"[Our workers] strictly follow the guidelines given to them by the government when conducting assessments and make no decisions on a person's eligibility for benefits.

The Guardian

Unlike the other three Grand Slam tournaments, which usually strictly follow the ATP and WTA Tour rankings, Wimbledon takes into account a player's record on grass.

The New York Times - Sports

Worse, their insistence that others strictly follow their values can be seen as a kind of selfish arrogance dressed up as altruism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use "strictly follow" to emphasize the importance of adhering precisely to the given steps to avoid errors or achieve the desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "strictly follow" allows for any deviation or personal interpretation of guidelines. It indicates a requirement for precise adherence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strictly follow" functions as a verb phrase that emphasizes the importance of adhering precisely to a set of rules, instructions, or guidelines. It indicates a requirement for complete compliance and often appears in contexts where accuracy and consistency are crucial. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strictly follow" is a commonly used verb phrase that emphasizes the necessity of precise adherence to rules, guidelines, or instructions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including science, news, business, and general writing. It is particularly useful when providing instructions or setting expectations for compliance. While alternatives exist, such as "adhere rigorously" or "comply meticulously", "strictly follow" clearly conveys the importance of unwavering adherence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhere rigorously

Implies a strong and unwavering commitment to a set of rules or guidelines.

comply meticulously

Suggests a very careful and detailed approach to compliance.

obey precisely

Focuses on exact obedience, leaving no room for interpretation.

observe faithfully

Highlights the loyalty and dedication in following the rules.

keep to the letter

Emphasizes following the exact wording of a rule or agreement.

stick to religiously

Suggests a very devoted and consistent adherence to a particular practice or belief.

toe the line

Implies conforming to a specific standard or expectation, often under pressure.

abide by without deviation

Stresses the absence of any variation from the required standards.

conform stringently

Underscores the rigid nature of the required conformity.

execute to perfection

Focuses on flawlessly carrying out instructions or tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "strictly follow" in a sentence?

You can use "strictly follow" to emphasize the importance of adhering to specific instructions or guidelines. For example, "Participants must "strictly follow" the study protocol" or "Employees must "strictly follow" safety regulations".

What are some alternatives to "strictly follow"?

Some alternatives to "strictly follow" include "adhere rigorously", "comply meticulously", or "obey precisely", depending on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "strictly follow"?

While "follow" can imply adherence, adding "strictly" reinforces the necessity of precise and unwavering compliance. It's useful when deviations are unacceptable or when emphasizing the importance of precision.

What does it mean to "strictly follow" a protocol or procedure?

To "strictly follow" a protocol or procedure means to adhere to every step and guideline exactly as described, without any deviations or personal interpretations. This is often essential in contexts like scientific research, medical treatment, or legal processes.