can be enforcing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be enforcing" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not typically used as it suggests an awkward construction. Example: "The rules can be enforcing, but they are necessary for maintaining order."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The difficult part can be enforcing those wishes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Such loyalty can be enforced.

The New Yorker

This is a friendly place where contracts can be enforced.

The New York Times

There is a draft down there which can be enforced".

The New York Times

But nobody seems to know whether this can be enforced.

The New York Times

The key is to measure performance clearly, so that contracts can be enforced.

The Economist

We'd like to know if the guidelines can be enforced.

Independent

It was drafted drafted under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which can be enforced militarily.

Independent

As long as there are assets outside Russia, an English judgment can be enforced.

The New York Times

Yet how such licensing can be enforced remains to be seen.

The Economist

While such deductibles apply, they can be enforced only once a given year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the passive form "can be enforced" for grammatical correctness and clarity. It emphasizes the action being performed rather than who is performing it.

Common error

Avoid using "can be enforcing" as it incorrectly combines a modal verb with an active participle in a passive context. Instead, ensure you use the past participle "enforced" after "can be".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be enforcing" attempts to express the possibility of something being in the process of enforcing, but it's grammatically unconventional. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is not correct in standard written English. It is often better to use the passive form "can be enforced".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be enforcing" is considered grammatically incorrect and rarely used in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that it's not a typical construction. The correct and more common alternative is "can be enforced", which employs the passive voice. While some sources provide examples of the phrase, it's advisable to avoid it in favor of grammatically sound alternatives such as "may be enforced" or "is enforceable". Using "can be enforced" ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be enforced

Passive voice focuses on the action being done rather than the actor.

may be enforced

Expresses a possibility or likelihood of enforcement.

could be enforced

Indicates a conditional possibility of enforcement.

is enforceable

Shifts the focus to the quality of being able to be enforced.

can ensure compliance

Implies the action of ensuring compliance rather than directly enforcing.

can guarantee adherence

Focuses on guaranteeing adherence rather than the act of enforcing itself.

can mandate compliance

Highlights the mandating of compliance.

can compel obedience

Emphasizes the act of compelling obedience.

can require adherence

Highlights the requirement of adherence.

is capable of enforcement

Focuses on capability rather than the action of enforcing.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say something is able to be enforced?

The correct phrasing is "can be enforced". The phrase "can be enforcing" is grammatically incorrect.

What does "can be enforced" mean?

It means that something (like a rule or law) has the ability to be put into effect or compelled.

Can I use "can be enforcing" instead of "can be enforced"?

No, "can be enforcing" is not standard English. Use "can be enforced" instead.

What are some alternative ways to express that a rule can be enforced?

You can say that a rule "is enforceable", "may be enforced", or "could be enforced".