Meaning & use
in compliance
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Following a rule, law, standard or request as required.
Grammar: Needs with before the rule: in compliance with the safety code.
Patterns
- in compliance with something
- be in compliance
- keep something in compliance
The factory is in compliance with all environmental regulations.
Our software must stay in compliance with data protection law.
The landlord was not in compliance with fire safety rules.
Common combinations
- in full compliance
- The restaurant is in full compliance with health rules.
- in compliance with the law
- All contracts must be in compliance with the law.
- remain in compliance
- We must remain in compliance to keep our licence.
- found not in compliance
- The building was found not in compliance after the inspection.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in accordance with
- In accordance with is a little more general and often introduces an action done as instructed, not a state of obeying.
- compliant
- Compliant is a single adjective that can stand alone, whereas in compliance usually needs with and a rule.
- in line with
- In line with is less strict and sounds more casual, suggesting agreement more than legal obedience.
Opposites
Word family
- comply verb
- to obey a rule or request
- compliance noun
- the state of following rules
- compliant adjective
- following the rules
- noncompliance noun
- failure to follow rules
Commonly confused: in compliance or complaint? in compliance or compliment?
in compliance vs complaint
A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction, which is different from compliance with rules.
in compliance vs compliment
A compliment is praise; compliance is obeying a rule.
Practice
The company is in compliance ___ the new safety standards.
Choose one answer.
The fixed pattern is in compliance with something. To, for and by are not used after compliance in this sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “in compliance”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.