to conform with

USAGE SUMMARY

"to conform with" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when someone intends to comply with a rule, law or practice. For example: From this day forward, I will strive to conform with the rules of this institution.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We'll reform our behavior strikingly to conform with social norms.

The New York Times - Science

Some critics hold that Mr. Bush twisted intelligence to conform with his policy goals.

The New York Times

"Then the import regulations will be adjusted to conform with the classification so agreed on".

The Guardian

And this created tremendous pressure on managers to conform with the latest trend.

The New York Times

His client's guilty plea, he said, "shows his failure to conform with those regulations".

The New York Times

The tax rise is part of the Gibraltar government's strategy to conform with European law.

The Guardian

There are additional credits for tenants who build their interior space to conform with the goals.

The New York Times

Perks such as paid leave and travel allowances will be streamlined to conform with EU norms.

The Guardian

As such, the building does not need to conform with city building or environmental codes.

The New York Times

The compromise reached by Christie's with the auctioneers' association appears to conform with the legislation.

The New York Times - Arts

Its history had not been stripped away, or renovated to conform with some passing fashion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to conform with", ensure the subject clearly understands the standards, regulations, or expectations they need to meet.

Common error

Avoid assuming that superficial changes are sufficient to "to conform with" deep-seated rules or principles; true conformance often requires substantial effort and systemic adjustments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to conform with" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces a purpose or reason for an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It typically modifies a verb, explaining why something is done, such as in the example, "The tax rise is part of the Gibraltar government's strategy to conform with European law."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to conform with" is a commonly used expression that indicates the action of aligning with established rules, standards, or expectations. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely applicable, and the analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence across diverse fields, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. While similar phrases like "to comply with" and "to adhere to" exist, "to conform with" retains a broad utility in expressing alignment with varying types of norms. A key consideration is ensuring a clear understanding of the specific requirements when employing this phrase to prevent superficial or inadequate adjustments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to comply with

Focuses on adhering to rules or regulations.

to adhere to

Emphasizes sticking firmly to a set of guidelines or principles.

to abide by

Implies acceptance of and obedience to a rule or decision.

to align with

Suggests adjusting to match a specific standard or goal.

to be consistent with

Highlights maintaining a uniform or predictable pattern.

to be in accordance with

Formally indicates agreement or compliance with a set of rules.

to fall in line with

Suggests conforming to a general trend or expectation.

to adapt to

Focuses on changing behavior or practices to suit new conditions.

to adjust to

Implies making minor changes to fit in with something else.

to follow

A more general term indicating adherence to instructions or examples.

FAQs

How do I use "to conform with" in a sentence?

Use "to conform with" to indicate that something needs to be adjusted to align with a specific rule, standard, or expectation. For example, "The design had "to conform with" building codes".

What are some alternatives to "to conform with"?

You can use alternatives like "to comply with", "to adhere to", or "to align with" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "comply with" or "conform with"?

"Comply with" and "conform with" are often interchangeable, but "comply with" typically emphasizes obedience to rules, while "conform with" can also refer to aligning with general expectations or standards. The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "to conform with" and "to comply with"?

While both phrases suggest adherence, "to comply with" typically relates to laws or regulations, whereas "to conform with" can apply to broader social norms or expectations. For example, you might "comply with" a legal requirement but "to conform with" social customs.