work to comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work to comply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts or actions taken to meet certain standards, regulations, or requirements. Example: "The company is making significant changes to its processes to work to comply with the new environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Thus the work to comply with the EU provision did not start from scratch.

Nature

As automakers work to comply with fuel-economy standards, they're increasingly turning to hybrids.

MIT Technology Review

A spokeswoman for the department, Nuala Forde, said the department would "work to comply to the best of its abilities".

The New York Times

The more convoluted the tax code becomes, the more time we have to take off work to comply with it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, as legislators work to comply with a United States Supreme Court ruling, those inmates could become eligible for parole after serving 40 years.

The New York Times

Some of the biggest meat suppliers for McDonald's, like Tyson Foods and Cargill, also applauded the move today and said they would work to comply with the new standards.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The company has worked to comply with regulations on both sides of its business, its executives said.

The New York Times

Step changes are likely associated with improvements made at sewage treatment works to comply with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC).

Journal of Hydrology

Cypriots bristle at the portrayal and point to studies showing that the country has worked to comply with European Union legislation to fight money-laundering.

The New York Times

Moreover, Indian politicians are loath to appear to be doing the bidding of Washington, even if quietly they are working to comply.

The New York Times

insurer whiplash: insurance companies that have worked to comply with Affordable Care Act regulations now will have to make a new game plan, deciding whether to reverse cancellations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "work to comply", ensure it's clear which specific standards, regulations, or requirements are being addressed. Providing context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "work to comply" without specifying the regulations or standards in question. Always clarify what the entity is complying with to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work to comply" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason or objective behind an action, aligning with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is grammatically sound and serves a clear communicative function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work to comply" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for indicating efforts to meet specific requirements, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively uncommon, it appears across diverse contexts, most notably in News & Media. To ensure clarity, it's best to explicitly state the standards or regulations being addressed. Consider alternatives like "endeavor to adhere" or "strive to meet requirements" for stylistic variation. Always contextualize the phrase by specifying the relevant regulations to prevent vague references.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavor to adhere

Replaces "work" with "endeavor" and "comply" with "adhere", focusing on a determined effort to follow rules.

strive to meet requirements

Emphasizes the effort to "meet requirements" rather than simply "comply".

make an effort to conform

Shifts the focus to the general act of "conforming" rather than specific compliance.

seek to be compliant

Uses "compliant" as an adjective, highlighting the state of being in accordance with rules.

aim to follow guidelines

Focuses on the intention to "follow guidelines", suggesting a proactive approach.

take steps to ensure compliance

Highlights the actions taken to achieve compliance, emphasizing the process.

exert effort toward conformity

Stresses the exertion of effort to achieve conformity with specified standards.

undertake measures for adherence

Formal language that implies taking specific actions to ensure adherence to regulations.

devote resources to compliance

Focuses on the allocation of resources towards achieving compliance.

act in accordance with regulations

This alternative highlights acting according to established regulations.

FAQs

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

You can use "work to comply" when describing efforts to meet specific standards, regulations, or requirements. For example: "The company is making significant changes to its processes to "work to comply" with the new environmental regulations."

What are some alternatives to "work to comply"?

You can use alternatives like "endeavor to adhere", "strive to meet requirements", or "make an effort to conform" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "work to comply" or "working to comply"?

Both "work to comply" and "working to comply" are grammatically correct. "Work to comply" suggests a general effort, while "working to comply" implies an ongoing action. Choose the one that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "work to comply" and "attempt to comply"?

"Work to comply" suggests a sustained and serious effort, while "attempt to comply" might imply a less certain or more tentative approach. "Work to comply" conveys a stronger commitment.