enforce

USAGE SUMMARY

"enforce" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the act of making someone obey laws or rules, or to make something happen. Example: "The police department was tasked with the job of enforcing the new laws."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The basic problem is that we care so much about fairness that we are often willing to sacrifice economic well-being to enforce it.

The Economist

Lucas said the legal action, filed with the Geneva civil court, aimed to force Waza to enforce its code of ethics, or to expel Jaza.

The Guardian

What I'm talking about is a common sense, step-by-step approach would secure our borders, allow us to enforce the laws, and fix a broken immigration system.

The Guardian

The ratings agency cited concerns about the nation's ability to service its borrowings in 2011 and to enforce cuts in regional public spending.

The Guardian - Business

Attempts to enforce laws against child marriage are hampered by a lack of birth registration: without a birth certificate, girls cannot prove they are too young to marry.

The Guardian

Republicans also want to pursue tax-evaders, close loopholes, and enforce the tax code.

The Guardian - Opinion

They have run to the US courts to enforce their claim – to the dismay of Argentinians – and won.

The Guardian - Business

A prisoner in Georgia who has been diagnosed as intellectually disabled by all medical experts who have examined him will be put to death on Monday unless the US supreme court acts to enforce its own constitutional ban on executing "mentally retarded" individuals.

The Guardian

Would it be too much to hope that officials could incorporate a bit more kindness into their work – while still discharging their duties to enforce regulations and the law?

The Guardian - Opinion

Only an EU that can credibly enforce fiscal as well as political and legal standards will survive in the long run – and that credibility will require a realistic scenario for what can happen to misbehaving member states.

The Guardian - Opinion

What are needed are new regulations to enforce planned planting and break the problems with the supply cycle.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about regulations, make it clear who is responsible to "enforce" them to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "enforce" when you mean to simply 'suggest' or 'recommend'. "Enforce" implies authority and the ability to compel compliance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enforce" is as a transitive verb. Ludwig shows it's used to describe the act of compelling obedience to a rule, law, or agreement, often by an authority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "enforce" is a versatile term with a clear and authoritative meaning: to compel obedience to a rule or law. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and very common, predominantly used in news, formal business and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure you understand the scope of "enforce"; it is not merely to suggest, but to compel compliance. Consider using alternatives like "implement" or "apply" based on context. Use "enforce" when authority is asserted and compliance is non-negotiable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implement

Focuses on putting a decision or plan into effect.

apply

Emphasizes the action of putting something into operation or use.

execute

Highlights the carrying out or accomplishment of a plan or order.

administer

Implies managing or supervising the execution of something, often a system or law.

prosecute

Specifically refers to carrying out legal action against someone.

oblige

Stresses compelling someone to do something by law or duty.

coerce

Suggests compelling someone through force or threats.

impose

Highlights establishing something as a rule or requirement.

ensure compliance

Emphasizes making certain that a rule or standard is followed.

uphold

Focuses on maintaining or defending a principle or law.

FAQs

How can I use the word "enforce" in a sentence?

The word "enforce" is typically used to describe the act of compelling obedience to a law, rule, or standard. For example, "The police are there to "enforce the law"."

What are some alternatives to "enforce"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "implement", "apply", or "execute".

Is it correct to say "enforce to do"?

No, it's generally incorrect to say "enforce to do". The correct usage is typically "enforce" followed by the thing being enforced (e.g., "enforce the rules") or "enforce compliance".

What's the difference between "enforce" and "implement"?

"Enforce" implies compelling obedience to a rule or law, while "implement" means putting a plan or system into effect. You "enforce" laws, but you "implement" policies.