How to use "comply with"

What Does "comply with" Mean?

The expression "comply with" is a phrasal verb that means to act in accordance with a wish, command, rule, or law. It implies yielding to a specific requirement or meeting a set of established standards.

While the meaning is largely compositional (the verb "comply" originates from the Latin complere, meaning to fill up or fulfill), it functions as a fixed collocation in modern English. Its register is primarily formal and neutral, making it a staple in legal, business, and medical documentation, though it is also frequently used in serious journalistic contexts.

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: The most common pattern is verb + preposition + noun phrase.
• Typical objects: It is almost always followed by abstract nouns representing authority or requirements, such as the law, regulations, standards, requests, obligations, or treatment.
• Separability: Unlike some phrasal verbs, "comply with" is inseparable. You cannot place the object between the verb and the preposition (e.g., you cannot say "comply the law with").
• What sounds unnatural: Using the wrong preposition is the most frequent error. Additionally, using "comply with" for casual social invitations (e.g., "I complied with your dinner invite") sounds overly stiff and bureaucratic.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from comply with on Ludwig.guru.

""We comply with the law here"." — nytimes.com

"Insurers must comply with numerous rules." — economist.com

"He must comply with these standards." — independent.co.uk

"Knopf did not comply with the request." — nytimes.com

"They say they comply with tax laws." — bbc.com

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
abide by	Often used for rules, agreements, or decisions; carries a sense of moral or legal commitment.
adhere to	Highly formal; commonly used for policies, principles, or strict technical guidelines.
conform to	Used when something must match a specific shape, standard, or social expectation.
follow	The most neutral and versatile alternative; suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
observe	Formal; specifically used for following laws, customs, or religious practices.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong preposition: Learners often use the wrong preposition, such as 'comply to' or 'comply by', likely due to interference from 'conform to' or 'abide by'. Always pair comply with with.
• Separability errors: Users sometimes try to insert an adverb or object between the two words. While an adverb can occasionally precede the whole phrase (e.g., "strictly comply with"), the verb and preposition should not be split by the direct object.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
comply with	To act in accordance with rules or requests	Verb + Preposition + Noun	Formal / Neutral

FAQs

Can the words in comply with be separated by an object?

No, comply with is an inseparable phrasal verb. You must keep the verb and the preposition together, followed immediately by the noun phrase that functions as the object.

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What is the difference between comply with and abide by?

While both mean to follow rules, comply with is often used in technical, regulatory, or medical contexts regarding specific requirements. Abide by is more frequently associated with accepting the consequences of a decision or staying faithful to a long-term agreement.

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Is it correct to say comply to or comply by?

No, these are common errors caused by prepositional interference from similar verbs like "conform to" or "abide by." In standard English, you must always use the preposition "with" when using the verb comply to describe following a rule.