they were complying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were complying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group of people was following rules, requests, or orders at a specific time in the past. Example: "During the inspection, they were complying with all safety regulations set by the authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Reached today by The Associated Press, the offices of 13 of the 17 committee members said they were complying.

The New York Times

Last summer, state officials began boarding shrimp boats to make sure they were complying with laws protecting the turtles.

The New York Times

The other schools could not or would not provide enough information to show whether they were complying.

The New York Times

ISAF resumed transfers to most of those centers after certifying that they were complying with human rights protocols.

The New York Times

It also told makers of supplements and cosmetics that they had to set up record keeping to prove they were complying with the rule.

The New York Times

No wonder Dinsmore and his staff genuinely thought they were complying with the law after taking such steps to obscure the photo.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"We are evaluating assessments that were made, whether or not those assessments were accurate, whether they were complied with and whether more needs to be done," she said.

The New York Times

Clinic operators say they are complying.

The New York Times

Few Americans have a clue whether they are complying with it.

The Economist

"I want to ask the Department of Transportation some questions about how they believe they are complying".

The New York Times

They say they are complying with the Koran's injunction to dress modestly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or regulatory matters, using "they were complying" can provide a clear and direct way to state that a group was following specific rules or laws. Ensure that the context specifies what they were complying with.

Common error

Avoid using "they were complying" without specifying what they were complying with. For example, instead of saying "they were complying", specify "they were complying with the new regulations" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were complying" functions as a verbal phrase indicating adherence to a set of rules, laws, or standards. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were complying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate adherence to rules, regulations, or standards. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is prevalent in news and media contexts, serving to inform or reassure about adherence to expected standards. While versatile, clarity is enhanced by specifying what the subject was complying with. Alternatives such as "they adhered to the rules" or "they followed the regulations" can be used to provide more specific or formal connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they adhered to the rules

Replaces "complying" with a more formal verb and specifies "rules" as the object.

they followed the regulations

Substitutes "complying" with "followed" and uses the specific term "regulations".

they observed the guidelines

Replaces "complying" with "observed" and uses the term "guidelines".

they were in accordance with

Uses a more formal and structural approach to express compliance.

they were acting in compliance

Adds the noun form "compliance" to emphasize the act of complying.

they were abiding by the law

Specifically refers to "the law" to indicate legal compliance.

they conformed to the standards

Replaces "complying" with "conformed" and specifies "standards" as the object.

they were fulfilling the requirements

Uses "fulfilling" to suggest that obligations are being met.

they were meeting the demands

Implies that "they" were satisfying specific requirements or expectations.

they respected the provisions

Indicates deference to and adherence to formal "provisions".

FAQs

What does "they were complying" mean?

The phrase "they were complying" means that a group of individuals or entities was acting in accordance with rules, regulations, laws, or other established standards at a particular time in the past.

How can I use "they were complying" in a sentence?

You can use "they were complying" to indicate that a group was adhering to certain guidelines or laws. For example: "The audit showed that "they were complying" with all safety protocols."

What are some alternatives to "they were complying"?

Alternatives include "they adhered to the rules", "they followed the regulations", or "they observed the guidelines". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "they were complying" or "they complied"?

The choice between "they were complying" and "they complied" depends on the context. "They were complying" suggests a continuous action or state over a period, while "they complied" indicates a completed action at a specific point in time.