be enforced against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be enforced against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that a rule, law, or regulation will be applied to a specific person or entity. Example: "The new regulations will be enforced against any company that fails to comply with safety standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Civil rights attorneys at Palestine Legal have urged the UC Regents not to adopt the newly released statement of principles, stating that, "the document cannot be enforced against anti-Zionist speech activities because any such enforcement would violate the First Amendment, the California Constitution, and UC's own policies protecting free speech, and would invite legal challenge".

Huffington Post

And Megan McArdle argues that there is a huge difference between simply setting enforcement priorities and "announcing that the law won't be enforced against a large fraction of the people who are violating it".The most persuasive take, I think, comes from Jonathan Bernstein.

The Economist

Could the law be enforced against athletes who symbolically protest during the medal ceremonies?

The New Yorker

Crucially, the inspectors added that the law could not be enforced against them "because they have got approval from government".

The Guardian

Specific performance of an agreement to take a loan may similarly be enforced against a borrower in most civil-law countries but not under Anglo-American law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What they are really saying is that there are legal norms against torture and such, but that they can't be enforced against corporations because they have never been enforced under international law — a claim the plaintiffs strongly contest.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But the pricing law is enforced against other retailers.

The New York Times - Arts

Market watchers wonder what will happen to prices when sanctions are enforced against Iranian oil.

The Economist

The Israeli occupation was enforced against Lebanese by Lebanese, and over the years it corroded social relations.

The New York Times

Murphy discusses cases in which legal fathers resort to violence or threats of violence against a mother and her children when child support orders are enforced against them.

The New York Times

"And the blasphemy law has been enforced against Muslims who do not share the beliefs of other Muslims, and also against non-Muslims, who worship differently".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing legal or policy documents, ensure that you clearly specify who or what will "be enforced against" to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of 'The rule will be enforced', specify 'The rule will be enforced against all employees'.

Common error

Avoid using "be enforced against" without a clear subject. Sentences like 'Regulations will be enforced against' are unclear. Specify who or what the regulations will apply to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be enforced against" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a rule, law, or regulation is being imposed or applied to someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it specifies that the subject will experience the action of enforcement. The provided examples illustrate how it is used to denote the application of a rule or judgment to a particular entity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be enforced against" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate the application of a rule, law, or regulation to a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is well-established. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias", and "Formal & Business" contexts, it clarifies the target of enforcement actions, ensuring clarity and specificity in legal, policy, and regulatory discussions. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "be subjected to" or "be bound by" can offer similar meanings depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be subjected to

Emphasizes the act of being made to undergo something, often a rule or law.

be bound by

Highlights the obligation or constraint imposed by a rule or agreement.

be governed by

Focuses on the regulatory aspect of a rule or law.

be liable under

Specifically relates to legal responsibility and potential consequences.

be held accountable to

Stresses the responsibility and potential for being called to answer for actions.

be compliant with

Highlights the need to adhere to established regulations or requirements.

be regulated by

Emphasizes the official control and oversight.

be affected by

Indicates influence or impact due to rules or policies.

fall under the jurisdiction of

Refers to the legal authority or control exerted.

be subject to the dictates of

Highlights the need to obey clear and unavoidable direction of another thing.

FAQs

How do I use "be enforced against" in a sentence?

Use "be enforced against" to indicate that a rule, law, or regulation will be applied to a specific person, group, or entity. For example, "The new policy will "be enforced against" all contractors."

What are some alternatives to "be enforced against"?

You can use alternatives such as "be subjected to", "be bound by", or "be governed by" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "be enforced against" and "be applied to"?

"Be enforced against" usually implies a rule or law that is being imposed, while "be applied to" is a more general term that simply means something is being used or put into effect in relation to something else. The former carries a sense of authority and potential consequence.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be enforced against"?

While passive voice is common with "be enforced against", using active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The law will "be enforced against" violators", you could say "The authorities will enforce the law against violators."