"abide by"是一个常用的英语动词短语,核心含义是遵守;遵循;信守(to accept and act according to a rule, law, agreement, or promise)。它强调对某种规则、承诺或权威的服从与坚守,是正式或书面语境中常用的表达。
"abide by"是及物短语,后面需接名词、代词或名词性从句(如what引导的从句),表示“遵守/信守的对象”。
1、 遵守规则/法律/制度(最常用)
We must abide by the traffic rules to ensure safety.(我们必须遵守交通规则以确保安全。)
Everyone should abide by the law, no matter who they are.(无论身份如何,每个人都应遵守法律。)
2、 信守承诺/诺言
He is a man of his word—he always abides by his promises.(他是个信守诺言的人——总是遵守承诺。)
Don’t make a promise if you can’t abide by it.(如果做不到,就不要许诺。)
3、 遵循协议/条款/决定
Both sides agreed to abide by the terms of the contract.(双方同意遵守合同条款。)
The team must abide by the coach’s decision.(团队必须服从教练的决定。)
4、 接名词性从句(what/whatever等引导)
I will abide by what I said earlier.(我会遵守我之前说的话。)
You have to abide by whatever the judge decides.(你必须服从法官的任何裁决。)
comply with:更强调“服从(正式规定)”,语气较正式(如comply with company policies 遵守公司政策);
follow:更口语化,强调“跟随、执行”(如follow the instructions 按照指示做);
observe:强调“遵守(习俗、法律)”,带有“主动遵守”的意味(如observe the local customs 遵守当地习俗)。
"abide by"没有被动语态的常见用法(通常用主动形式表达“遵守”);
不要混淆"abide by"与"abide in/at"(后者表示“居住在某地”,如abide in a small town 住在小镇)。
总之,"abide by"是表达“遵守/信守”的正式短语,适用于规则、法律、承诺等严肃场景,是日常和商务英语中高频使用的表达。