dictates on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dictates on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct form would be "dictates of" or "dictates regarding." Example: "The dictates of the new policy must be followed by all employees."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The constitutional separation of church and state protects everyone by prohibiting us from imposing our religious dictates on one another.

Huffington Post

"We believe that Iran clearly dictates on the political process".

The New York Times

We behave in the world according to Realistic dictates on almost every occasion.

University of California, Berkeley

But in times of war or instability his dictates on how to dress, how to govern, and how to live held out the tantalizing promise of order.

The New Yorker

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday evening in a defiant statement that he would "not accept external dictates" on his country's borders, and that the matter would be "solely resolved in direct negotiations between the sides".

The New York Times

"We, frankly, believe that there are foreign dictates on the political process," said Mr. Allawi, the most peripatetic, having spent as much time of late traveling in the region, from Yemen to Istanbul, as he has in Iraq.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

- Physician "Yes, I learned that I had to be very careful if I was dictating on one patient and switched to another patient.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Today I was reacting a lot rather than being the one that was dictating on my own serve.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm not one of those designers that wants to dictate on how people should wear my designs.

HuffPost

No network format is dictated on the hub network.

Applied Mathematical Modelling

What we do with it, that'll be dictated on Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "dictates on", opt for more grammatically correct alternatives like "dictates of" or rephrase the sentence using verbs such as "determines", "governs", or "influences" to improve clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "dictates on" in formal contexts, as it is often perceived as grammatically incorrect. Relying on this phrase can undermine the credibility of your writing. Consider using more standard expressions like "dictates of" or rephrasing to improve clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dictates on" functions as a prepositional phrase, often attempting to modify a verb or noun by indicating a determining factor. However, Ludwig AI highlights that this usage is generally considered incorrect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "dictates on" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI points out that it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Standard English prefers "dictates of" or a rephrased sentence for better clarity and precision. Given this, it's best to opt for alternatives like "dictates of", "determines", or "governs" to ensure your writing remains grammatically sound and credible, especially in formal or professional contexts. The phrase is uncommon, used but not recommended. As Ludwig shows, there are many alternatives that can be used instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dictates of

Replaces "on" with "of", creating a more grammatically standard and widely accepted phrasing.

determines

Offers a direct verb to indicate influence or control, simplifying the phrase.

governs

Similar to "determines", this verb emphasizes the controlling aspect of the dictates.

is contingent on

Highlights the conditional nature of something being dependent on specific dictates.

is dependent on

Emphasizes reliance on certain dictates for a particular outcome.

is subject to

Indicates that something must adhere to or comply with specific dictates.

rules for

Replaces dictates with explicit mention of established rules.

principles governing

Focuses on the fundamental principles that guide or dictate a certain process.

precepts guiding

Highlights fundamental rules that have similar meaning to dictates.

conditions affecting

Shifts the focus to the conditions that have impact on something.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "dictates on"?

Consider using phrases like "dictates of", "determines", "governs", or "influences" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "dictates on" in a sentence?

While you might encounter "dictates on", it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Standard English prefers "dictates of" or a rephrased sentence for better clarity.

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "dictates on" to be more grammatically sound?

Replace "dictates on" with "dictates of" or restructure the sentence to use verbs such as determines, governs or influences instead.

What's the difference between "dictates on" and "dictates of"?

"Dictates on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect, while "dictates of" is the standard and more widely accepted phrasing in English.