try to comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to comply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting or requesting that someone make an effort to follow rules, guidelines, or requests. Example: "We appreciate your cooperation and ask that you try to comply with the new safety regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Most police departments try to comply, though doing so is voluntary.

The New York Times

"As a Muslim, I try to comply with the requirements of my religion.

The New York Times - Magazine

From the moment New York State began to try to comply, politics intervened.

The New York Times

"We try to comply," said Bruno Bondavalli, dean of academic and student affairs at St . Augustine Collegein Chicago.

The New York Times

On Monday, Navin Nayak, senior vice president of campaigns for the League of Conservation Voters, said his group would try to comply with the plan.

The New York Times

"We have moved heaven and earth to try to comply with every single dot and comma of every single convention to get him out of our country.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Other filmmakers have tried to comply with family requests.

The New York Times - Arts

He tried to comply, but soon became fidgety and difficult.

The New York Times

"Stanley tried to comply with the court order.

The New York Times

The industry is spending billions more trying to comply with new rules of dubious worth.

The Economist

Other presidents have tried to comply with international agreements without Senate approval.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, consider using alternatives like "make every effort to comply" or "strive to comply" to highlight the level of dedication.

Common error

Avoid using "try to comply" when there is clear evidence of non-compliance. This phrase suggests an honest attempt, and misusing it can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to comply" functions as a directive, suggesting an intention or effort to adhere to a set of rules, standards, or requests. Ludwig shows that it is frequently used in contexts where adherence is expected but not always guaranteed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try to comply" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey an intention or effort to follow rules or meet expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in wikis and scientific literature. While generally neutral in tone, it can be used more formally when emphasizing commitment. For more emphasis, alternatives like "make every effort to comply" can be used. When using "try to comply", make sure that the context clearly outlines what rules or guidelines are being followed to improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an attempt to comply

More emphatic than "try to comply" focusing on the attempt itself.

attempt to adhere to

Replaces "try" with "attempt" and "comply" with "adhere", focusing on the effort to stick to something.

do one's best to comply

Focuses on giving maximum effort to comply.

endeavor to follow

Uses "endeavor" for a more formal tone than "try" and "follow" instead of "comply", emphasizing the act of heeding guidance.

seek to abide by

Replaces "try" with "seek", implying active pursuit and "comply" with "abide by", highlighting adherence to a standard.

make an effort to obey

Replaces "try" with "make an effort" emphasizing exertion and "comply" with "obey", focusing on following commands or rules.

strive to fulfill

Uses "strive" to emphasize the effort and "fulfill" instead of "comply", focusing on satisfying requirements.

aim to conform to

Replaces "try" with "aim", suggesting intent and "comply" with "conform to", emphasizing alignment with a standard.

work towards compliance

Focuses on the process of achieving compliance rather than just attempting it.

take steps to comply

Emphasizes the action of taking specific measures to ensure compliance.

FAQs

How can I use "try to comply" in a sentence?

You can use "try to comply" to express an intention to follow rules or guidelines, as in, "We "try to comply" with all safety regulations".

What can I say instead of "try to comply"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to adhere to", "endeavor to follow", or "seek to abide by" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "try to comply" or "attempt to comply"?

"Try to comply" and "attempt to comply" are largely interchangeable, but "attempt to comply" may sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "try to comply" and "working towards compliance"?

"Try to comply" suggests an immediate effort, while "working towards compliance" implies an ongoing process to meet requirements over time.