they would obey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they would obey" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing hypothetical situations or expressing expectations about compliance or following orders. Example: "In a well-structured environment, they would obey the rules set by their leaders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

They would obey any order.

The New Yorker

They said they would obey because of NATO's involvement.

The New York Times

The Islanders said they would obey Justice Joseph, but planned to continue their suit.

The New York Times

Two other teachers told the judge they would obey his order and return to work.

The New York Times

Fridman maintained good relations with the Kremlin; the AAR partners, according to a friend of theirs, persuaded Putin that they would obey.

The New Yorker

But many fundamentalist Protestants still take them literally and positively state that, if God told them to kill their own children, they would obey.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Whatever Brexit ends up looking like in the short and long terms, one can't help remembering a night 27 years ago, when the people in a city in Germany decided they'd obey their masters no longer and knocked over a wall.

Huffington Post

From then on Marduk would take care of their sanctuaries and they, in turn, would obey him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The conclusion was that ordinary people, under the direction of an authority figure, would obey any order they are given, even to torture.

Forbes

If it said they must keep the activists, the contractors would obey.

The Guardian - Opinion

The law was supposed to be enforced in September, but in late August the Russian authorities said that they would not check for compliance until January 2016, rumoured to be because they weren't certain that any companies would obey.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they would obey" to express a conditional or hypothetical situation, suggesting that obedience is contingent on certain factors or conditions. For instance, 'If given a direct order, they would obey without question'.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "they would obey" in a context where obedience is assumed or guaranteed, rather than conditional. If obedience is certain, using "they obey" or "they will obey" is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying, 'As trained soldiers, they would obey commands', consider 'As trained soldiers, they obey commands' or 'As trained soldiers, they will obey commands'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they would obey" functions as a verb phrase expressing a conditional or hypothetical action. It describes a scenario in which a group is expected to follow instructions, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they would obey" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a conditional or hypothetical action of following instructions or commands. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and can be effectively employed in contexts ranging from news reporting to scientific discussions. It’s crucial to ensure the context clearly defines the subjects and the object of obedience to avoid ambiguity. Furthermore, while versatile, be mindful of the conditional nature of "would" and consider more direct alternatives like "they obey" or "they will obey" when expressing certainties instead of possibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they would comply

Focuses on adherence to rules or requests; a more formal alternative.

they would follow orders

Specifically highlights the act of adhering to commands from authority.

they would adhere to

Implies sticking firmly to a set of guidelines or principles.

they would be compliant

Similar to 'comply', but emphasizes a state of being willing to obey.

they would submit

Suggests a yielding or surrender to authority, potentially under duress.

they would be bound by

Implies a legal or moral obligation to follow certain rules.

they would be subject to

Highlights the idea of being under the authority or control of something.

they would respect

Emphasizes honoring and following out of esteem or regard.

they would be disciplined

Highlights behavior as a consequence of a specific, trained behavior

they would heed

Focuses on paying attention to and following advice or warnings.

FAQs

How can I use "they would obey" in a sentence?

You can use "they would obey" to describe a hypothetical scenario where a group is expected to follow instructions, such as "If the general gave the order, "they would obey" without hesitation."

What's a more formal alternative to "they would obey"?

A more formal alternative could be "they would comply", which suggests adherence to rules or regulations in a more official context.

Is it correct to say "they will obey" instead of "they would obey"?

Yes, but the meaning changes slightly. "They will obey" indicates a future certainty, while "they would obey" suggests a conditional or hypothetical situation. The choice depends on whether you're expressing a definite outcome or a possibility.

What's the difference between "they would obey" and "they should obey"?

"They would obey" describes a hypothetical action, while "they should obey" expresses a recommendation or obligation. "They should obey" implies a moral or ethical imperative.