difficult to enforce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to enforce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing rules, laws, or policies that are challenging to implement or uphold. Example: "The new regulations are well-intentioned, but they are often difficult to enforce in practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's difficult to enforce.

The New York Times

The rules are difficult to enforce.

The New York Times

The furlough plan proved difficult to enforce.

The New York Times

Such rules will be difficult to enforce.

The New York Times

The latter aim proved difficult to enforce.

The New Yorker

The policy is increasingly difficult to enforce.

The New York Times

First, it would be difficult to enforce.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But it is difficult to enforce.

The New York Times

Still, Volokh notes, they can be difficult to enforce.

Harvard University

The mandate is difficult to enforce, he said.

Harvard University

And OSHA's general safety requirement is notoriously difficult to enforce.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using this phrase. While generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, you may opt for a more nuanced or specific alternative, like "presents enforcement challenges" or "faces implementation obstacles".

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the difficulty of enforcement. Instead of saying something is "impossible to enforce", which may not be accurate, use "difficult to enforce" or "challenging to uphold" and provide specific reasons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to enforce" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, typically describing a rule, law, or policy. It indicates the degree of challenge or complexity associated with implementing and maintaining adherence to the stated subject. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to enforce" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe regulations or policies that present implementation challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use in various contexts. Its frequency in news media and academic sources indicates its widespread acceptance and relevance in professional discourse. When using this phrase, provide context regarding the reasons for the difficulty. Consider alternatives like "hard to implement" or "challenging to uphold" to convey subtle differences in meaning. Avoid overstating the difficulty and always strive for accuracy in your assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unenforceable in practice

Highlights the theoretical versus real-world discrepancy.

hard to implement

Focuses on the practical challenges of putting something into effect, rather than specifically the enforcement aspect.

challenging to uphold

Highlights the struggle to maintain or defend a rule or law over time.

not easily applied

Emphasizes the complexity in the implementation aspect.

problematic to administer

Shifts the focus to the administrative difficulties.

presents enforcement issues

Focuses on the problems that arise during enforcement.

virtually impossible to regulate

Emphasizes the near impossibility of controlling something.

poses regulatory hurdles

Highlights the obstacles in the regulatory process.

faces implementation obstacles

Emphasizes the barriers that hinder putting something into action.

resists effective control

Highlights resistance to being controlled effectively.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to enforce" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to enforce" to describe laws, rules, or policies that are challenging to implement effectively. For example, "The new policy is "difficult to enforce" due to a lack of resources".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to enforce"?

Alternatives include "hard to implement", "challenging to uphold", or "unenforceable in practice" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a rule "difficult to enforce"?

Several factors can make a rule "difficult to enforce", including vague wording, lack of resources, resistance from those affected, and technological limitations.

Is it better to say "difficult to enforce" or "impossible to enforce"?

Saying something is "difficult to enforce" is more accurate if there's still a possibility of enforcement, even if it's challenging. "Impossible to enforce" implies that enforcement is completely out of the question. Use the term that accurately reflects the situation.