Guide 180 / 200 5 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “follow”
Five verbs for being in line with rules, plans, or people.
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Follow" has several senses — instructions, people, outcomes. "Comply with" is for rules; "adhere to" is for standards and principles; "observe" is for practices; "abide by" is contractual; "heed" is to take warning seriously.
ii · The swaps5 ways
- 01Comply with formal
for rules and regulations
Comply with the new reporting thresholds.
- 02Adhere to formal
for standards and principles
Adhere to the internal coding standard.
- 03Observe neutral
for practices and conventions
Observe the quiet hours for customers.
- 04Abide by formal
contractual, moral
Abide by the terms of the agreement.
- 05Heed formal
take warning seriously
Heed the early signals from the market.