strictly following

USAGE SUMMARY

"strictly following" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing someone adhering stringently to certain guidelines or instructions. For example, "The student was strictly following the teacher's instructions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The teachers encourage daily reading and journal writing rather than strictly following a language-arts curriculum.

The New York Times

It was delicious, but I have a habit of not strictly following recipes.

The New York Times - Food

On social issues they were deeply conservative, strictly following the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.

Britannica

By 'non-standardised' we mean not strictly following a published MRA method.

Environmental Modelling & Software

By strictly following the protocol setup by SAEj1850 we adhered to all of the IEEE code of Ethics.

Cornell University

But the All England Club continues to take into account a player's grass-court credentials rather than strictly following the Tour ranking.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately the chair, Donald Rowson, who was strictly following the time allocated for his talk before the Q&A, didn't know this in advance and interrupted him.

The Guardian

Before war put a stop to such things, he built a house, 32 Newton Road, Paddington, strictly following Le Corbusier's domino principle.

The Guardian

The governing equation is derived strictly following the three-dimensional theory of elasticity, nevertheless, the formulation uses two-dimensional modeling in terms of translational displacements only.

Composite Structures

"He had some of the typical hang-ups and preconceived ideas of the time, but I think he was strictly following orders, not personal prejudice against gay people".

The New York Times

He adjusted to new schools by strictly following rules, preferring to sit next to the other quiet kids, and he dove into acting lessons wherever he found them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing others, be clear about what constitutes "strictly following". Provide specific examples or detailed procedures to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't assume that "strictly following" means the same thing to everyone. Always clarify the details and expectations to ensure consistent application.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strictly following" functions as a modifier, often appearing as part of a participial phrase. It typically describes the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing adherence to a specific set of rules or guidelines. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "strictly following" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe meticulous adherence to rules, guidelines, or instructions. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently used across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal communications. To ensure clarity, provide specific examples of what adherence entails. Alternatives like "scrupulously adhering" or "rigorously adhering" offer similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis. When instructing others, remember to be explicit in defining what constitutes "strict" adherence to avoid any ambiguity. The phrase's neutral to formal tone makes it suitable for a wide range of professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Closely adhering

Indicates a tight level of adherence, though not necessarily to the letter of the rule.

Rigorously adhering

Highlights the thoroughness and strictness of the adherence process.

Scrupulously adhering

Implies a very high level of attention to detail and moral correctness in adherence, more so than "strictly following".

Exactly conforming

Stresses the precise matching to a standard or set of rules, perhaps more inflexible than "strictly following".

Faithfully observing

Emphasizes loyalty and commitment to the rules or guidelines, adding an element of dedication.

Precisely complying

Focuses on accuracy and exactness in compliance, suitable when precision is key.

Diligently observing

Suggests careful and persistent attention to the rules or procedures.

Meticulously obeying

Adds an element of extreme carefulness and detail to the act of obeying.

Invariably observing

Indicates consistency and a lack of deviation from the specified guidelines.

Accurately executing

Focuses on the correct and precise performance of a task or process, with a focus on the outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "strictly following" to describe adherence to rules, guidelines, or instructions. For example, "The researchers were "strictly following" the experimental protocol."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "strictly following"?

Alternatives include "scrupulously adhering", "closely adhering", or "rigorously adhering". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "strictly following" or "closely following"?

"Strictly following" implies a more rigid adherence than "closely following". Choose "strictly" when precision and exactness are critical, and "closely" when some flexibility is acceptable.

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

To "strictly follow" a protocol means to adhere to every detail and instruction outlined in the protocol without deviation. This ensures consistency and validity in the process.