Collocations for apply - verb

equally
These principles apply equally in all cases.

to
These restrictions do not apply to us.

the same applies
US companies are subject to international laws and the same applies to companies in Europe.

directly
evenly
liberally
sparingly
Apply the insecticide sparingly.

carefully
I carefully applied a creamy foundation.

externally

over
Apply the glue evenly over both surfaces.

to
Never apply the cleaning liquid directly to the surface.

Apply is used with these nouns as the subject:
applicant, argument, condition, convention, exemption, fee, guideline, maxim, principle, provision, reasoning, regulation, restriction, rule

Apply is used with these nouns as the object:
adjective, antiseptic, approach, argument, Band-Aid, brake, coat, coating, concept, cosmetic, cream, criterion, decoration, discipline, doctrine, dressing, expertise, fertilizer, finish, force, formula, glue, guideline, idea, ink, insight, knowledge, label, lacquer, law, layer, lesson, leverage, lipstick, logic, lotion, make-up, manure, mascara, maxim, method, nail polish, ointment, paint, paste, patch, penalty, plaster, polish, powder, preservative, pressure, principle, procedure, reasoning, rigour, rule, sanction, skill, spray, standard, stress, system, tactic, tape, technique, technology, term, test, theory, thinking, varnish, voltage, yardstick