enforce against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enforce against" is both correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean "impose upon," as in "The court enforced the punishment against the offender."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The agency could still enforce against poor practices, but any enforcement action "would be tempered with a more liberal application," he said.

Huffington Post

Often, identifying a bank account or property to enforce against is the only real pressure point.

The Guardian - Money

"The council has always said it would enforce against overcrowding on the legal site," he said.

The Guardian

My colleagues are incorrect in ruling that Mr. Gaylord can enforce, against the United States, copyrights on the work he did for the United States.

Harvard University

The law is intentionally vague in a way that may make it easy to enforce against a wide range of speech and activity.

The New Yorker

And the House went one step further, seeking to allow American tourism to the island by barring money to the federal agencies that enforce against it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It may not therefore be enforced against them.

Cornell University

Or at least they aren't enforced against us.

The New York Times

But the pricing law is enforced against other retailers.

The New York Times - Arts

Likewise an injunction may be enforced against state officials as individuals by civil or criminal proceedings.

Cornell University

Market watchers wonder what will happen to prices when sanctions are enforced against Iranian oil.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enforce against", ensure the subject is clearly defined, indicating who or what is being subjected to the enforced rule or law. For instance, specify the entity the rule is enforced against for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "enforce against" when you mean 'enforce in favor of'. The phrase indicates imposing something on someone, not acting for their benefit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enforce against" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of compelling compliance with a rule or law. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing actions taken by authorities to ensure adherence to regulations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enforce against" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the act of imposing a rule or law on a specific entity. According to Ludwig AI analysis, it is used in various contexts, primarily in news and media, academia, and encyclopedias. While grammatically sound, it's important to use it correctly, ensuring the subject and direction of enforcement are clearly defined. Alternatives like "impose upon" or "apply to" may be suitable depending on the specific context. Use of the phrase is likely to appear in neutral register texts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impose upon

This alternative is a more general term for placing something (like a rule) on someone.

apply to

This focuses on the act of a rule being relevant or affecting something.

implement on

This emphasizes the action of putting a rule or law into effect.

execute upon

This suggests a more formal and decisive carrying out of a decree.

administer to

This implies a structured and managed application of rules.

prosecute for

This phrase indicates a legal action taken against someone for a violation.

bring charges against

This alternative relates specifically to initiating legal proceedings.

take action against

This is a broader phrase referring to any steps taken to counter or punish something.

exercise authority over

This emphasizes the power or control used to enforce something.

carry out on

This indicates performing or executing a specific action or task on something.

FAQs

How can I use "enforce against" in a sentence?

You can use "enforce against" to describe the application of a rule or law to someone or something. For example: "The council will "enforce against" overcrowding on the legal site."

What is a good alternative to "enforce against"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "impose upon", "apply to", or "take action against".

Is it correct to say "enforce for" instead of "enforce against"?

While "enforce against" implies imposing something on someone, "enforce for" suggests acting in favor of someone. They have opposite meanings.

What does "enforce against" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, "enforce against" typically refers to the act of compelling someone to comply with a law, regulation, or court order. The action is directed at the party not in compliance.