Is there any difference in meaning of conform with and conform to?
Cambridge Dictionary does not seem to make any difference and gives both prepositions with "conform"
Before buying the baby's car seat , make sure that it conforms to the official safety standards.
I found a discussion on this site where native speakers say that there is a difference. One of the members says:
I feel a difference. "Conform to" suggests "obey", while "conform with" suggests "fit"
So if I use "conform with" in the sentence above, will it change the meaning?
In general, is there a difference in both prepositions or we can use them interchangeably?
Best Answer
We use "conform to" = when referring to acting in accordance with a documented set of rules or standards, eg "this product conforms to health and safety standards".
We use "conform with" when referring to a person or body that places requirements upon us, eg "this product conforms with Government guidelines".