abide by + rule or decision
Following rules or agreements
This is the standard modern pattern.
You must abide by the contract.
Abide by, with, in, to, or on?
Abide by is the standard modern expression meaning follow or obey. Other prepositions appear only in special or older uses.
Quick answer
How to use abide
Use abide by for rules, decisions, and agreements. Older or literary English may use abide with meaning tolerate. Prepositions such as in, to, and on are usually separate parts of the sentence, not fixed combinations.
All employees must abide by the safety rules.
I cannot abide with that kind of noise.
They continued to abide in the village.
I cannot abide with that kind of noise.
They continued to abide in the village.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
cannot abide + noun
Strongly disliking something
Abide can mean tolerate, especially in negative forms.
She cannot abide dishonesty.
abide with + person
Remaining or staying with someone
This use is formal or old-fashioned.
May peace abide with you.
abide in + place
Living or remaining in a place
This literary use means stay or dwell.
They abide in the mountains through winter.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
abide by
Drivers must abide by the law.
Standard modern use meaning obey or follow.
abide with
Her memory abides with me.
Formal expression meaning remain with.
abide in
Truth abides in honest speech.
Literary use meaning exist or remain.
abide to
We abide to the rules.
Nonstandard in current English; use abide by.
abide on
The decision abides on tradition.
Nonstandard for modern English; use depends on or is based on.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using abide to
Modern English uses abide by for rules and obligations.
✕ We must abide to the policy. ✓ We must abide by the policy.Using abide on for dependence
Abide does not normally combine with on in this meaning.
✕ Success abides on teamwork. ✓ Success depends on teamwork.Confusing abide by with tolerate
Abide by means obey, not merely accept emotionally.
✕ I cannot abide by loud chewing. ✓ I cannot abide loud chewing.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. All members must ___ the club rules.
2. She cannot ___ rude behaviour.
3. May good fortune ___ you.
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Frequently asked questions
Is abide by the only common modern form?
It is the most common standard pattern, especially for rules and agreements.
Can abide mean tolerate?
Yes. It often appears in negative sentences such as cannot abide noise.
Is abide to correct?
No. Standard English uses abide by, not abide to.
Related preposition guides
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