Collocations for rule - noun
1. what you can or cannot do, say, etc.
ADJ.
basic, cardinal, first, fundamental, golden | ground ~s
You and your flatmates should establish some ground rules.
You and your flatmates should establish some ground rules.
general | formal, official, written | informal, unwritten | rigid, strict, stringent | absolute, hard and fast
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing a typeface.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing a typeface.
clear | simple
Follow these few simple rules, and you won''t go far wrong.
Follow these few simple rules, and you won''t go far wrong.
arbitrary | petty
He made his children''s lives a misery with all his petty rules.
He made his children''s lives a misery with all his petty rules.
club, company, competition, school, union, etc. | cultural, ethical, legal, moral, social | disciplinary, immigration, safety, tax | grammar, grammatical
QUANT.
set
The aim is to get each member country to adhere to a single set of rules.
The aim is to get each member country to adhere to a single set of rules.
VERB + RULE
draw up, establish, formulate, impose, issue, lay down, make, set out | abide by, adhere to, follow, go by, obey, observe, play by, stick to
If he wanted a loan he would have to play by the bank''s rules.
If he wanted a loan he would have to play by the bank''s rules.
be in line with, conform to
The packaging does not conform to EU rules.
The packaging does not conform to EU rules.
be in breach of, break, disregard, fall foul of, flout, violate
Their action was in breach of Stock Exchange rules.
Their action was in breach of Stock Exchange rules.
apply, enforce
The referee applied the rules to the letter (= very strictly).
The referee applied the rules to the letter (= very strictly).
bend, relax
Couldn''t they just bend the rules and let us in without a ticket?
Couldn''t they just bend the rules and let us in without a ticket?
waive | tighten up
The rules on claiming sickness benefit have been tightened up.
The rules on claiming sickness benefit have been tightened up.
be bound by, be fettered by, be governed by
Social workers are bound by rules of confidentiality.
Social workers are bound by rules of confidentiality.
interpret, understand
The punishment depends on how the umpire interprets the rules.
The punishment depends on how the umpire interprets the rules.
RULE + VERB
apply, be applicable, operate | provide sth, say sth, state sth, stipulate sth
The competition rules provide that a cash alternative may be given.
The competition rules provide that a cash alternative may be given.
govern sth
the rules governing the importing of livestock
the rules governing the importing of livestock
allow (for) sth, permit sth
The existing rules allow for some flexibility.
The existing rules allow for some flexibility.
forbid sth, prohibit sth | limit sth, restrict sth
rules limitingimports
rules limitingimports
RULE + NOUN
book
The officialswent strictly by the rule book.
The officialswent strictly by the rule book.
PREP.
according to the ~s
According to the rules, no alcohol can be consumed on the premises.
According to the rules, no alcohol can be consumed on the premises.
against/contrary to the ~s
Tackling a player without the ball is against the rules.
Tackling a player without the ball is against the rules.
in accordance with the ~s
The music was turned off at midnight, in accordance with the rules.
The music was turned off at midnight, in accordance with the rules.
outside the ~s
behaviour which is outside the rules
behaviour which is outside the rules
under a/the ~
Under this rule, only full members of the club are entitled to vote.
Under this rule, only full members of the club are entitled to vote.
within the ~s
I believed I was acting within the rules.
I believed I was acting within the rules.
~ about/concerning/on/regarding/relating to
What are the school rules about dress?
What are the school rules about dress?
~ for
There seems to be one rule for the rich and another for the poor. | What is the rule for forming plurals?
There seems to be one rule for the rich and another for the poor. | What is the rule for forming plurals?
~ of
the rules of the game
the rules of the game
PHRASES
a breach/violation of the rules, a body/code/network/system of rules, respect for the rules, rules and regulations
2. what is usual
ADJ.
general
There are fewexceptions to the general rule thatshops close at six o''clock.
There are fewexceptions to the general rule thatshops close at six o''clock.
PREP.
as a ~
As a rule, hardlyanybody uses this road.
As a rule, hardlyanybody uses this road.
PHRASES
be the rule
Among herfriends, casual dress and a relaxedmanner are the rule.
Among herfriends, casual dress and a relaxedmanner are the rule.
3. government
ADJ.
authoritarian, harsh | direct, indirect | emergency
Thepresident imposed emergency rulefollowing the riots.
Thepresident imposed emergency rulefollowing the riots.
majority | one-party | Labour, Tory, etc. | colonial | home | civilian, military | presidential | mob
thelawless days of mob rule
thelawless days of mob rule
VERB + RULE
impose
PREP.
under … ~
The countryremained under direct rule by theoccupying powers.
The countryremained under direct rule by theoccupying powers.
PHRASES
the rule of law
a societybased on the rule of law
a societybased on the rule of law