Question

Topic: Copywriting

For Grammar Pedants: Do We Comply With Or To?

Posted by Anonymous on 1/17/2005 at 3:21 PM ET 500 Points
In the context of 'companies need to comply with the Bill' - would we say compliance with or compliance to?

Online dictionary search not really helpful as two sources opinions diverge.

Def 1: Acting according to certain accepted standards
Def 2: The act of complying with a wish, request, or demand

I have a suspicion that the usage may be influenced by the nature of what you are complying with / to.

Comply to a request
Comply with government's policies.

Any thoughts?
Michele
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 1/17/2005 at 3:42 PM Accepted
    Michele,

    when I spent time in the accounting industry as an accountant we were always in "compliance with" the general rules of good accounting principles. I will see if I can provide you with some supportive references along this line.

    Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
  • Posted by Inbox_Interactive on 1/17/2005 at 3:51 PM Accepted
    Hi, Michele -

    I was not immediately able to find anything rock solid on this. However, I think the more common usage is "comply with," although I have definitely seen "comply to" used as well (not that this makes it correct!).

    As you know, though, if you're writing "copy," you probably have the license to use whichver sounds better, even if it turns out to be less than perfect according to grammarians.

    Looking forward to other replies.

    Paul
  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 1/17/2005 at 3:56 PM Accepted
    Michele,

    when I did a search on Google searching for the specific words below the "compliance with" search is definitely used more than the "compliance to".

    1,140,000 "Compliance to"

    17,000,000 "Compliance with"

    You would expect a former bean counter (lol) to use a "generally accepted practice" or "Best practice" type of approach to solving this problem wouldn't you. Very visually analytical type of approach if I have to say so myself. Sorry for being so predictable when most of the time I tend to be very intuitive. I think I'm going to go back to counting the bristles on my toothbrush. Take care.

    Deremiah
  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 1/17/2005 at 4:07 PM Member
    Michele,

    Sarbanes-Oxley is one of the most highly discussed subjects these days and I think this organizations communication on the subject might give some insight as to using the "With" versus the "to". Karl Nagel is a compliance firm.

    https://www.karlnagel.com/displaysection.php?level=2&pub_id=Sarbanes-Oxley&...

    You can read this document online to glean from the usage and the tone. They use "with" greatly throught the document. It appears in other readings I have come across that the word "compliance to" is used when dealing with reconciling such as "we are reconciling in compliance to". I hope this helps. If there is anything I can do further just put me on a mission. I am not working today and it's about 2:14 pm. See ya.

    Deremiah
  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 1/17/2005 at 4:09 PM Member
    "throught" is a typ-o should be "through out" or could be future shorthand on the word. :-)
  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 1/17/2005 at 6:03 PM Member
    Thanks FRANCES,

    Now if you and I can convert one person that converts one person we can impact the whole world before the week is out. Thanks for your Vote. So do we have any other voters for "throught". Frances I noticed you were from South Africa...that's a great place to be. Well it looks like we are getting enough supportive information to back-up the reason why 17 million people use "comply with". Have a great day.

    Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
  • Posted by Ann H. on 1/17/2005 at 6:19 PM Accepted
    You know I had to add my two cents here in compliance with my job as the MarketingProfs newsletter/site editor! : )

    This grammar rule is less like a rule...like many things in life, it's more of a "feel...." You gotta see which one works in any given situation.

    Generally, I'd use "compliance with" and "comply with." But I'd use "comply to" in some situations...if it sounded or felt better. In other words, I'd use "comply to" if I felt like I needed to comply to a certain style of writing.

    And I also agree with Paul. I'm never one to play hard by the grammar rules if it makes for awkward or less colorful copy. I'd rather publish copy with a little life.

    Ann Handley



  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 1/17/2005 at 6:40 PM Member
    Ann,

    then me and you could rapp. That's the rule I generally follow in most all cases. If it sounds good, rolls off of my tongue like a song from "The Sound of Music" then I go with it. Great input from our Newsletter Site Editor...we've just got great people all over this site. Thanks Ann.

  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 1/18/2005 at 1:23 AM Member
    By Randall, I think you've Got IT!

    Throught the warehouse.
  • Posted by Chris Blackman on 1/18/2005 at 2:16 AM Accepted
    Oh, goody, at last a question for grammar pedants!

    Comply or Compliance takes the Ablative case as far as I am concerned. Therefore. it must be Comply with (by/with/from = Ablative prepositions).

    Conform on the other hand seems to take the Dative case. (To/for).

    See, 5 years of studying Latin pays off after all!

    Cheers

    Chris

  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 1/18/2005 at 4:27 AM Accepted
    A Latin student, Chris? Same here. Such a nerd in high school, in fact, that one year I got to be Miss Saturnalia.

    Toga!

    And yes, I comply with most grammatical rules. At least, I do when I'm not breaking them.

    Shelley ;]
  • Posted on 1/18/2005 at 6:20 AM Accepted
    Bravo to all who voted for "compliance with".

    Just for fun, here's another grammar error I'm always finding and correcting: centers around. For example: "The presentation centers around our marketing activities."

    It should always be "centers on". (Because the center of something is always on a point, not around a point).
  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 1/18/2005 at 7:56 AM Member
    Well Shelley I always did say you were *Pretty Smart (do I get any points for that lol).

    Also I'm very glad that numerically it proves out why over 17 Mil would use Comply With. Thanks also Chris and Nico you guys are very smart too!

    Deremiah
  • Posted by Ann H. on 1/18/2005 at 8:16 AM Moderator
    Shelley --

    I am so glad to hear that Latin did pay off -- eventually. Can't wait to tell my 13-year-old, who is struggling with his first year of it and applying the question central to any 13-year-old, "Yeah...but why do I CARE??"

    I'll be sure to tell him he has a bright (if limited) future as a Forum Expert!

    Cheers from Boston --

    Ann
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 1/18/2005 at 12:47 PM Accepted
    compliance with. for sure is I since me good very in speaking the language of Englishes people.

    I knows these things. Yous should taked my advertise....really.

    Lucky Good things to you!
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