a regulation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a regulation" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used when talking about a specific rule or law that has been put in place by an authority or governing body. Here are some examples: - According to a regulation set by the city council, all residents must recycle their household waste. - The company was fined for not adhering to a regulation regarding workplace safety. - The restaurant was shut down for violating a health and safety regulation. - Students are expected to follow the dress code as per school regulations. - These are just a few examples of the many regulations that businesses must comply with.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

A regulation ring is built.

The New York Times

"We are still working on a regulation".

The New York Times

A regulation loser gets no points.

The New York Times

It was not entirely a regulation matchday.

Independent

The EPA announces a regulation shift.

The New Yorker

Red Tape Update: A Regulation Contradiction?

The New York Times

"It's a regulation," Janet McCabe said.

The New Yorker

"He didn't overturn a regulation on lead.

The New York Times

(A regulation baseball weighs 5 to 5.25 ounces).

The New York Times

A regulation loss means they can drop into sixth.

The New York Times - Sports

None is exactly a regulation supermarket item, either.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about regulations, be specific about the source and jurisdiction of the regulation to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify if it's "a federal regulation", "a local regulation", or "an industry regulation".

Common error

Avoid using the term "a regulation" when you actually mean a recommendation or guideline. Regulations are binding and enforceable, while recommendations are advisory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a regulation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It often refers to a specific rule or law established by an authority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a regulation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a specific rule or law, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, be specific about the source and jurisdiction of the regulation, and avoid confusing regulations with recommendations. As demonstrated by Ludwig, authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian often employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rule

Replaces "regulation" with a more general term for a guideline or standard.

a law

Substitutes "regulation" with a term that indicates a more formal and legally binding rule.

a policy

Replaces "regulation" with a term that suggests a set of principles or procedures.

a directive

Replaces "regulation" with a term indicating an official instruction.

a requirement

Replaces "regulation" with a term indicating something necessary or obligatory.

a guideline

Substitutes "regulation" with a term that suggests a recommendation rather than a strict rule.

a stipulation

Substitutes "regulation" with a term that suggests a specific condition or demand.

a provision

Replaces "regulation" with a term suggesting a specific part of a law or agreement.

an enactment

Replaces "regulation" with a term indicating the process of making a law or rule.

a statute

Substitutes "regulation" with a more formal term for a written law.

FAQs

How can I use "a regulation" in a sentence?

You can use "a regulation" to refer to a specific rule or law. For example, "The company was fined for violating "a regulation" on environmental protection".

What's the difference between "a regulation" and "a rule"?

While both terms refer to guidelines, ""a regulation"" typically implies a formal rule enforced by an authority, whereas "a rule" can be more general and informal.

What can I say instead of "a regulation"?

Alternatives include "a rule", "a law", "a policy", or "a directive", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "the regulation" instead of "a regulation"?

Yes, both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "A regulation" refers to one specific regulation among many, while "the regulation" refers to a particular regulation that has already been identified or is understood in context.