What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
comply
Example
All employees must comply with the company's dress code policy. [comply: verb]
Example
The product must comply with safety regulations before it can be sold. [comply: verb]
follow
Example
Please follow me to the conference room. [follow: verb]
Example
I will follow the recipe to make the cake. [follow: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Follow is more commonly used than comply in everyday language. Follow is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while comply is less common and typically used in legal or business contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between comply and follow?
Comply is generally more formal than follow, as it is often used in legal or business contexts where compliance with rules and regulations is important. Follow can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
