Laws and punishments

Noun and verb collocations

• The new law forbids/prohibits smoking in all public places. [the law does not allow]
• The rules permit/allow members to bring guests into the club only at weekends.
• These rules/regulations apply to all students, not just new ones. [the rules are for]
• If we follow the rules, at least 20 people must be present at the meeting. [do what the rules say]
• The regulations require/stipulate that all students must register for the course. [formal: the rules say that]
• We have to comply with the regulations concerning the testing of equipment. [formal: do what the rules say]
• I hope we can bend the rules and let her take the exam on another day. [informal: break the rules in a way that is not considered important]