Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
were compliant with
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'were compliant with' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something following the rules or requirements of a certain situation. For example: The workers were compliant with the safety regulations set forth by the organization.
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
These leases were compliant with tax law, including the use of tax allowances established to help boost the UK film industry during that period.
News & Media
The EBA called on national regulators to ensure the banks they regulate were compliant with the cap by the end of the year.
News & Media
A Virgin Active spokesman said the firm's contracts were "compliant with the Ashbourne ruling and were developed in compliance with guidance published by the OFT".
News & Media
To be able to distribute its products to Canadian athletes, the company secured independent certification that its ingredients were compliant with World Anti-Doping Agency rules.
News & Media
These reconstructions were compliant with EANM/EARL specifications.
Science
238 (88%) prescriptions were compliant with the indication of carbapenems and 239 (89%) were compliant with the re-evaluation.
Science
Not all patients were compliant with the instruction to use the AFO due to social factors.
All animal experiments were compliant with the ethical standards of Anhui Agricultural University.
Science
The first published list showed that 59 smelters were compliant with its guidelines.
News & Media
Among the thousands of fire scenarios generated, 20% were compliant with the fire scene observations.
Science
or even carry out online searches to make sure that the annotations were compliant with the guidelines.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "were compliant with", clearly state the specific standard, regulation, or guideline being adhered to for clarity and to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The procedures were compliant with the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals."
Common error
Avoid using "were compliant with" without specifying what standards or regulations were met. Saying "the system were compliant with requirements" is less effective than stating "the system were compliant with GDPR regulations".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "were compliant with" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically part of the predicate in a sentence. It asserts that a subject adhered to or satisfied specific rules, standards, or regulations. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage across various domains.
Frequent in
Science
59%
News & Media
25%
Formal & Business
16%
Less common in
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "were compliant with" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates adherence to rules, regulations, or standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in a variety of contexts, especially in science, news, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, it's essential to specify the particular regulations or standards being met to ensure clarity. Alternatives include "adhered to" or "conformed to", though they may subtly alter the meaning. Overall, using "were compliant with" effectively communicates that specific requirements have been satisfied.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
adhered to
Focuses on sticking to or following something closely.
conformed to
Emphasizes alignment with a standard or pattern.
were in accordance with
Highlights agreement or harmony with rules or principles.
were in line with
Suggests alignment or agreement with a particular standard or expectation.
were consistent with
Implies a lack of contradiction or variation with a set of rules.
met the requirements of
Specifically emphasizes that certain conditions or needs were satisfied.
satisfied the standards of
Highlights the fulfillment of specific quality levels or benchmarks.
followed the guidelines of
Focuses on adhering to recommended practices or instructions.
respected the regulations of
Implies adherence to legal or official rules with a sense of obligation.
observed the protocols of
Emphasizes that established procedures or customs were followed.
FAQs
How can I use "were compliant with" in a sentence?
The phrase "were compliant with" indicates adherence to rules, regulations, or standards. For example, "The company's practices "were compliant with" environmental regulations".
What are some alternatives to "were compliant with"?
You can use alternatives like "adhered to", "conformed to", or "were in accordance with" depending on the context.
Is it better to say "were compliant to" or "were compliant with"?
"Were compliant with" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Compliant" takes the preposition "with", not "to".
What does it mean for something to be "were compliant with" a set of rules?
It means that the entity or process followed all the necessary rules, regulations, and standards, indicating that it "met the requirements of" those guidelines.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested