Word
complying
Phoneticscom·ply·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/kəmˈpɫaɪɪŋ/
UK/kəmplˈaɪɪŋ/
Definition
v. following a rule, order, or law. You use this when someone does what they are officially told to do.
v. acting in accordance with a wish, command, or set of rules. Present participle of 'comply'; typically describes the state of adherence to regulatory or legal standards.
Examples
“The company is complying with the new safety laws.”
“By complying with the environmental regulations, the factory avoided a heavy fine from the local government.”
“The audit revealed that while the firm was complying with the letter of the law, it was failing to meet the broader ethical standards expected by its shareholders.”
Examples
simple
“The company is complying with the new safety laws.”
contextual
“By complying with the environmental regulations, the factory avoided a heavy fine from the local government.”
complex
“The audit revealed that while the firm was complying with the letter of the law, it was failing to meet the broader ethical standards expected by its shareholders.”
Usage
Intransitive; almost always followed by the preposition 'with'.
Pitfall
complying to the rules
complying with the rules
The verb 'comply' and its forms require the preposition 'with', not 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“Speaking to the BBC last month, he said his actions were driven by public-health concerns and that businesses complying with rules had nothing to fear.” “The DfE’s thinking has been influenced by the results of a pilot exercise in 2022/23 in which EHOs in 18 council areas checked whether schools were complying with the rules.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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