Comply past tense
Meaning of comply
to act in accordance with a wish or command.
Infinitive
- 1. They always comply with the company's regulations to ensure a safe workplace.
- 2. She complies with her doctor's advice to improve her health.
- 3. The software complies with the latest industry standards for data security.
Past Simple
- 1. She complied with the new regulations without any complaints.
- 2. They complied with the officer's request and showed their identification.
- 3. The company complied with environmental standards to avoid penalties.
Past Participle
- 1. She has complied with all the requirements for graduation.
- 2. They had complied with every regulation set by the local government.
- 3. The company has complied with international standards for years.
Learn more words on the go
Master verb forms with Promova!
Bare infinitive
- General Truths or LawsExample. Employees must comply with all company policies.Example. She always complies with her doctor's advice.Example. The team complies with these standards every fiscal quarter.
- When stating laws, regulations, or rules that are always true.Example. Employees must comply with all company policies.Example. She always complies with her doctor's advice.Example. The team complies with these standards every fiscal quarter.
- Habitual ActionsExample. Employees must comply with all company policies.Example. She always complies with her doctor's advice.Example. The team complies with these standards every fiscal quarter.
- Actions that happen regularly or are part of a routine.Example. Employees must comply with all company policies.Example. She always complies with her doctor's advice.Example. The team complies with these standards every fiscal quarter.
- Fixed ArrangementsExample. Employees must comply with all company policies.Example. She always complies with her doctor's advice.Example. The team complies with these standards every fiscal quarter.
- For scheduled events or arrangements in the near future (often used in business or formal contexts).Example. Employees must comply with all company policies.Example. She always complies with her doctor's advice.Example. The team complies with these standards every fiscal quarter.
Past Simple
- Completed Actions in the PastExample. The company complied with the new regulations last year.Example. We always complied with his requests before we understood the implications.Example. First, we discussed the changes, then we complied with the necessary adjustments.
- When an action or situation occurred and concluded at a specific time in the past.Example. The company complied with the new regulations last year.Example. We always complied with his requests before we understood the implications.Example. First, we discussed the changes, then we complied with the necessary adjustments.
- Habit in the PastExample. The company complied with the new regulations last year.Example. We always complied with his requests before we understood the implications.Example. First, we discussed the changes, then we complied with the necessary adjustments.
- Describing a habit or routine that was true in the past but is not anymore.Example. The company complied with the new regulations last year.Example. We always complied with his requests before we understood the implications.Example. First, we discussed the changes, then we complied with the necessary adjustments.
- Sequential Past ActionsExample. The company complied with the new regulations last year.Example. We always complied with his requests before we understood the implications.Example. First, we discussed the changes, then we complied with the necessary adjustments.
- Describing actions that happened one after the other in the past.Example. The company complied with the new regulations last year.Example. We always complied with his requests before we understood the implications.Example. First, we discussed the changes, then we complied with the necessary adjustments.
Past Participle
- Present Perfect TenseExample. They have complied with all the required standards till now.Example. Before the audit, the company had already complied with all the guidelines.Example. The new policies have been complied with by all departments.Example. If they had complied with the regulations, they would not have faced fines.
- To talk about actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past or actions that started in the past and continue to the present.Example. They have complied with all the required standards till now.Example. Before the audit, the company had already complied with all the guidelines.Example. The new policies have been complied with by all departments.Example. If they had complied with the regulations, they would not have faced fines.
- Past Perfect TenseExample. They have complied with all the required standards till now.Example. Before the audit, the company had already complied with all the guidelines.Example. The new policies have been complied with by all departments.Example. If they had complied with the regulations, they would not have faced fines.
- To describe an action that was completed before another action or time in the past.Example. They have complied with all the required standards till now.Example. Before the audit, the company had already complied with all the guidelines.Example. The new policies have been complied with by all departments.Example. If they had complied with the regulations, they would not have faced fines.
- Passive VoiceExample. They have complied with all the required standards till now.Example. Before the audit, the company had already complied with all the guidelines.Example. The new policies have been complied with by all departments.Example. If they had complied with the regulations, they would not have faced fines.
- When focusing on the action or the result of the action, rather than who or what is performing the action.Example. They have complied with all the required standards till now.Example. Before the audit, the company had already complied with all the guidelines.Example. The new policies have been complied with by all departments.Example. If they had complied with the regulations, they would not have faced fines.
- Conditional SentencesExample. They have complied with all the required standards till now.Example. Before the audit, the company had already complied with all the guidelines.Example. The new policies have been complied with by all departments.Example. If they had complied with the regulations, they would not have faced fines.
- In conditional sentences to express conditions that were necessary for certain outcomes in the past.Example. They have complied with all the required standards till now.Example. Before the audit, the company had already complied with all the guidelines.Example. The new policies have been complied with by all departments.Example. If they had complied with the regulations, they would not have faced fines.
Common mistakes
— 01
Confusing forms
Mistake. A common mistake is using 'complyed' as the past simple or past participle form of 'comply.' Correct Use. The correct past simple and past participle form of 'comply' is 'complied.' For example, 'She complied with the regulations.'
— 02
Misusing Past Simple
Mistake. Another mistake is using 'complied' when the base form 'comply' is needed. This often happens when the tense is not properly recognized. Correct Use. It is important to use 'comply' for the present and 'complied' for both the past simple and past participle. For instance, 'We must comply with the new rules,' not 'We must complied with the new rules.'
— 03
Misuse in perfect tenses
Mistake. Misusing 'complied' in perfect tenses by either omitting the auxiliary verb or using the wrong auxiliary verb. Correct Use. In perfect tenses, 'complied' should be used with the correct form of the auxiliary verb 'have' or 'has.' For example, 'He has complied with the requirements,' not 'He complied with the requirements' when meaning to express an action that has relevance to the present moment.
Past tense quiz
Check your skills and find areas for improvement