although the police

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "although the police" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or exception related to the police in a sentence. Example: "Although the police were present at the event, they did not intervene in the protests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Although the police cannot observe every subway car, passengers can.

The New York Times

Although the police lines eventually held, officers did react violently.

The Guardian

Although the police report completes the initially hazy picture, it doesn't explain why Carlisle killed himself.

Independent

The cause was unknown, although the police indicated that a device may have detonated prematurely.

The New York Times

None of the men had guns, although the police officers apparently believed at least one did.

The New York Times

But this was in some sense an illusion: although the police can watch, they are helpless.

The New Yorker

Although the police force will remain fragmented in future, participants felt there could still be interoperability.

The Guardian

The mother was not charged, although the police said the investigation remained open.

The New York Times

No planes have been chartered since then, although the police have submitted eight contracts for review.

The New York Times

Ms. Riddick did not press charges, although the police kept reports of the incidents.

The New York Times

Although the police were watching, the scene appeared calm, so she parked her car and joined one of the groups.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "although the police", ensure the clause that follows provides a clear contrast or concession. This strengthens the sentence's logical flow and emphasizes the unexpected or noteworthy aspect of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "although the police" when the actions or presence of the police are the primary focus of the sentence. It's best when the police are a secondary consideration that contrasts with the main point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "although the police" functions as a conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that presents a contrast or concession. It sets up a situation where one might expect a certain outcome based on the presence or actions of the police, but the following clause reveals a different result, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "although the police" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce a contrast or concession related to law enforcement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating its relevance in reporting and discussing events involving the police. While seemingly straightforward, its proper usage requires careful consideration of the emphasis and logical flow of the sentence. Remember to use it when highlighting a contrast or unexpected situation, and avoid it when the police are the primary focus. Alternative phrases like "even though the police" or "despite the police" can offer slightly different nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though the police

A shorter, slightly less formal alternative to 'although'.

even though the police

Replaces 'although' with 'even though', emphasizing the contrast.

despite the police

Uses 'despite' to highlight the contrast, focusing on overcoming an obstacle.

in spite of the police

Similar to 'despite', but slightly more formal.

notwithstanding the police

A more formal way to express 'despite', suitable for legal or official contexts.

regardless of the police

Emphasizes that something happens independently of the police's involvement.

while the police

Introduces a sense of simultaneous action or situation, in contrast.

the police notwithstanding

A more emphatic and somewhat archaic way of saying 'despite the police'.

even if the police

Shifts the focus to a hypothetical situation, adding conditionality.

with the police present

Changes the structure to highlight the presence of the police as a context.

FAQs

How can I use "although the police" in a sentence?

Use "although the police" to introduce a contrasting element or a concession. For example, "Although the police were present, the protest remained peaceful."

What are some alternatives to "although the police"?

Alternatives include "even though the police", "despite the police", or "in spite of the police". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include a comma after "although the police"?

Yes, a comma is typically needed after the introductory clause beginning with "although the police" to separate it from the main clause, unless the sentence is very short and clear without it.

What's the difference between "although the police" and "because of the police"?

"Although the police" introduces a contrast, while "because of the police" indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. For instance, "Although the police investigated, the case remains unsolved" (contrast) versus "Because of the police presence, the crowd dispersed" (cause and effect).