a police force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a police force" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an organized body of officers responsible for maintaining law and order in a specific area. Example: "The city has increased funding for a police force to enhance community safety and crime prevention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She has a police force.

Independent

"We are not a police force".

The Economist

The association is not a police force".

The New York Times

"You need to build a police force".

The New Yorker

He would prefer to leave security to a police force.

The Economist

A police force of 10 sworn officers protects 86 residents.

The New York Times

"A police force, at any level, purifying itself like this.

The New Yorker

Samoa has a police force but no standing military.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lebanon also has a paramilitary gendarmerie and a police force.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We have a police force that is penetrated," she said.

The New York Times

Oh, and the village doesn't have a police force.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about law enforcement, consider the specific context. Use "a police force" when referring to an organized body, and alternatives like "law enforcement agency" or "police department" for greater formality or specificity.

Common error

Avoid using "a police force" when referring to a specific individual officer or a small group performing a specialized task. Instead, use more precise terms like "police officer", "detective", or "patrol unit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a police force" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It refers to an organized body of officers responsible for maintaining law and order.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a police force" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, commonly found in news, academic, and encyclopedia contexts. It refers to an organized body responsible for maintaining law and order. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When using this phrase, ensure it fits the specific context, and consider alternatives like "law enforcement agency" or "police department" for increased formality or specificity. Be mindful of overgeneralization and use precise terms like "police officer" when referring to individuals. This phrase carries a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

law enforcement agency

Formal term referring to an organization responsible for enforcing laws.

police department

Refers to a specific administrative body of police officers in a city or region.

law enforcement

More abstract term, indicating the activity of enforcing laws, rather than the specific group.

constabulary

British term for a police force, usually in a specific region.

peacekeeping force

Emphasizes the role of maintaining peace, which is broader than typical police duties.

security service

Highlights the security aspect, which may include intelligence and protection services.

force of law

A phrase that describes the general impact of law and legal implications instead of a team.

police unit

A subunit of a police force.

gendarmerie

A military body charged with police duties.

marshal service

A term for a federal body for criminal apprehension.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a police force"?

You can use alternatives like "law enforcement agency", "police department", or "law enforcement" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a police force" or should I use another term?

The phrase "a police force" is grammatically correct and widely used. However, depending on the context, alternatives like "law enforcement agency" or "police department" might be more appropriate.

How do you use "a police force" in a sentence?

You can use "a police force" to refer to an organized body of officers responsible for maintaining law and order, such as: "The city established a dedicated police force to combat rising crime rates".

What is the difference between "a police force" and "law enforcement"?

"A police force" refers to a specific organized group of police officers, while "law enforcement" is a more general term referring to the activity of enforcing laws.