It was when “they complied the reports” that I got to wondering. There’s something sinister about complying reports, making me wonder if there’s some kind of chicanery going on. What did they feel the need to cover up?
Of course it could be a proofreader error and should have been compiled . . .
After all, compile does mean to put together.
Meanwhile, comply means to obey someone’s order.
Exploring Later . . .
Another pair of “comp-” word confusions is Compel versus Impel” and “Complement versus Compliment“.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
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| Compile | Comply |
|---|---|
Ohio National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Compile Emergency Supplies is under the Public Domain Mark 1.0 license, via Picryl and courtesy of Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. |
Doreen Buckner Draws the Curtains in Her Family’s London Home to Comply with the Nightly “Blackout” During the Second World War is under the Public Domain Mark 1.0 license, via Jeni Kirby History and courtesy of the Imperial War Museum. |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Verb, transitive
Gerund: compiling Third person present verb: compiles |
Verb, intransitive
Gerund: complying Third person present verb: complies |
Produce (something, especially a list, report, or book) by assembling information collected from other sources
[Computing; of a computer] Convert (a program) into a machine-code or lower-level form in which the program can be executed |
[Of a person or group] Act in accordance with a wish or command
[Obsolete] To be obedient or complaisant |
| Examples: | |
| The local authority must compile a list of taxpayers.
The figures were compiled from a survey of 2,000 schoolchildren. The 49ers have compiled a league-leading 14–2 record. This allows you to create programs and compile them. |
We are unable to comply with your request.
All secondhand furniture must comply with the new standards. There are no exceptions; everyone must comply. The patient complied with the physician’s orders. The commander said that the army would comply with the ceasefire. |
| Derivatives: | |
| Adjective: uncompiled, well-compiled Verb: precompile, precompiled, precompiling, recompile, recompiled, recompiling |
Adjective: compliant, uncomplying Adverb: compliantly Noun: compliance, compliancy |
| History of the Word: | |
| Middle English from the Old French compiler or its apparent source, the Latin compilare meaning plunder or plagiarize. | Late 16th century, from the Italian complire, the Catalan complir, the Spanish cumplir, all from the Latin complere meaning fill up, fulfill.
The original sense was fulfill, accomplish, later fulfill the requirements of courtesy, hence to be agreeable, to oblige or obey. Compare with compliment. |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Compile versus Comply
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Apple Dictionary.com
Dictionary.com: compile, comply
The Free Dictionary: compile, comply
Pinterest Photo Credits
Lamb’s Liver with Bacon & Onions, Mashed Potato, Creamed Cabbage & Baked Beans by CharmaineZoe’s Marvelous Melange is under the CC BY 2.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons.
