capable of enforcing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of enforcing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has the ability or power to implement or uphold rules, laws, or agreements. Example: "The new regulations are designed to ensure that the agency is capable of enforcing compliance among all participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Law enforcement must be reformed and rendered capable of enforcing the rights of minorities that are adequately protected in letter by the original 1973 Constitution.

Huffington Post

However, Iraq is clearly not currently capable of enforcing its laws...

The New Yorker

The official said: "Are we capable of enforcing this action by force?

The New York Times

The assaults committed by Mr Katanga's forces were illegal; what was lacking was a government capable of enforcing the law.

The Economist

Because there is no suprastate actor capable of enforcing international law, each state must provide for its own security.

Britannica

The Israelis have a government capable of enforcing an agreement, but the Palestinian Authority, created by Oslo to do that job, has not proved strong enough.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

But while these contracts are capable of automatically enforcing themselves, they challenge general counsel to rethink strategies around jurisdiction, and how to enforce smart contracts in court.

Forbes

Historically, the Security Council has proven itself capable of strictly enforcing UN resolutions when it comes to Iraq particularly during the sanctions era but to date is surprisingly silent in enforcing or taking measures under Resolution 1618 particularly in light of the U.S. administration's late recognition that ISIS now poses a threat to Iraq's sovereignty.

Huffington Post

With the surge of dark money into politics, we need to ensure that the I.R.S. is capable of rigorously enforcing the law in a nonpartisan, but also more effective, way.

The New York Times

You can't have a flourishing free enterprise system with party hacks interfering with businesses and distorting prices; you can't have W.T.O.-style foreign investment without moving toward an independent judiciary that is free of arbitrary party meddling and is capable of fairly enforcing contracts; and you can't live up to W.T.O.

The New York Times

But a council spokesman said they had been removed as the authority wanted drivers to know that double yellow lines "are there for good reason and are capable of being enforced".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing potential or future enforcement, "capable of enforcing" is more appropriate. If emphasizing active or current enforcement, consider "is enforcing" for stronger impact.

Common error

Avoid using "capable of being enforced" when you mean "capable of enforcing". The former implies someone else will do the enforcing, while the latter clearly states who has the ability to enforce.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of enforcing" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its ability or power to ensure that rules, laws, or agreements are followed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "capable of enforcing" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that describes the ability or power to ensure compliance with rules or laws. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous sources indicates that the phrase functions as an adjective phrase and is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, it is essential to clearly define who or what is doing the enforcing and to avoid confusing it with passive constructions like "capable of being enforced". Alternatives such as "able to enforce" or "competent to enforce" can be used to add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to enforce

Direct synonym, replacing "capable" with "able" for a slightly simpler expression.

competent to enforce

Replaces "capable" with "competent", highlighting the skill and knowledge required for enforcement.

equipped to enforce

Focuses on having the necessary resources or tools for enforcement.

empowered to enforce

Highlights the authority or official permission to enforce.

authorized to enforce

Similar to "empowered", emphasizing the legal right to enforce.

in a position to enforce

Indicates having the opportunity and ability to enforce.

with the power to enforce

Emphasizes the strength and authority behind the enforcement.

having the ability to enforce

More verbose, explicitly stating the possession of the ability to enforce.

in a state to enforce

Highlights the readiness and condition necessary for enforcement.

legally entitled to enforce

Focuses on the legal basis for having the power to enforce.

FAQs

How to use "capable of enforcing" in a sentence?

Use "capable of enforcing" to describe an entity (person, system, organization) that possesses the necessary power, resources, or authority to ensure rules or laws are followed. For example, "The regulatory agency is "capable of enforcing" the new environmental standards".

What can I say instead of "capable of enforcing"?

You can use alternatives like "able to enforce", "competent to enforce", or "equipped to enforce" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "capable of enforcing" or "capable to enforce"?

"Capable of enforcing" is the correct form. The preposition "of" is required after "capable" when followed by a gerund (enforcing).

What's the difference between "capable of enforcing" and "enforcing"?

"Capable of enforcing" describes the potential or ability to enforce, while "enforcing" describes the active process of making sure a rule or law is followed. "Capable of enforcing" indicates a capacity; "enforcing" indicates an action.