trying to comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to comply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an effort to adhere to rules, requests, or standards. Example: "I am trying to comply with the new regulations set by the organization to ensure everything is in order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are trying to comply with all subpoenas, but…we are waiting for the court to hear a motion regarding that matter," Pasternak said in an e-mail.

Los Angeles Times

Fresh Direct officials said in a statement that they were trying to comply with the government's request and keep their employees informed about the investigation.

The New York Times

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

The Economist

Many health care institutions have had difficulty trying to comply with the law.

The New York Times

"I'm just a landlord trying to comply with city regulations," he said.

The New York Times

We highlight how trying to comply with a positively-anticipated role transition can help avoid unclean work yet generate more polluted work.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

This can get tricky for businesses that have multiple international offices and are trying to comply with GDPR.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Either the NSA is really trying to comply with the court's orders and is absolutely incapable of doing so, in which case it's terrifying that they're performing this surveillance, or they're not really trying to comply," Goitien said.

The Guardian

Mr. Meade said the city should be afforded protection because it was trying to comply with a federal law.

The New York Times

"I hope this is just the beginning of trying to comply with the governor's request," Luis Nieves said.

The Washington Post

Ms. Reynolds said her boyfriend had meant no harm and was trying to comply with the officer's orders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trying to comply", ensure the context clearly defines what rules, regulations, or standards are being complied with. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "trying to comply" without specifying the object of compliance. For instance, instead of saying "The company is trying to comply", specify "The company is trying to comply with GDPR regulations" to provide context and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to comply" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause, often serving as an infinitive of purpose. According to Ludwig, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

12%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trying to comply" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate an active effort to adhere to rules, regulations, or standards. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, be specific about what is being complied with and avoid overgeneralization. Related phrases such as ""seeking to comply"" and "attempting to comply" offer subtle variations in meaning. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately convey the intended meaning of "trying to comply" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking to comply

Replaces "trying" with "seeking", suggesting a more active and intentional effort to comply.

attempting to comply

Uses "attempting" instead of "trying", emphasizing the act of making an attempt to comply.

striving to comply

Substitutes "trying" with "striving", highlighting the effort and determination involved in complying.

making an effort to comply

Expresses the action as "making an effort", which is a more descriptive alternative to "trying".

endeavoring to comply

Replaces "trying" with "endeavoring", offering a more formal and sophisticated way to express the attempt to comply.

working to comply

Suggests active work and steps are being taken in order to comply.

aiming to comply

Replaces "trying" with "aiming", focuses on the intention and goal of compliance.

in an effort to comply

Highlights the purpose and motivation behind the actions, using a more formal tone.

taking steps to comply

Emphasizes specific actions being taken to achieve compliance.

doing one's best to comply

Indicates that someone is making their best effort, which can be more subjective and personal.

FAQs

What does "trying to comply" mean?

The phrase "trying to comply" means making an effort to follow or adhere to a set of rules, regulations, laws, or standards. It implies an ongoing process or attempt to meet specific requirements.

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

You can use "trying to comply" in sentences like, "The organization is "seeking to comply" with new environmental regulations" or "The company is "working to comply" with the audit's recommendations."

What are some alternatives to "trying to comply"?

Some alternatives to "trying to comply" include "attempting to comply", "striving to comply", "making an effort to comply", or "endeavoring to comply", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "trying to comply" or "in compliance with"?

The choice between "trying to comply" and "in compliance with" depends on the situation. "Trying to comply" suggests an ongoing effort that may not yet be fully achieved, while "in compliance with" indicates that the requirements are currently being met. For instance, "The project is "working to comply" with safety standards" versus "The project is in compliance with safety standards."