enforce death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enforce death" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the implementation of capital punishment or the enforcement of laws that may lead to death penalties. Example: "The new legislation aims to enforce death for those convicted of the most heinous crimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In other words, if you want to support life, enforce death.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Anyone caught smuggling 100 grams or more of heroin in Vietnam, faces the country's strictly enforced death penalty by lethal injection.

Vice

Dow contended that a rarely enforced death penalty law was preferable to "taking 700 people at once and saying they are going to die of old age in prison". California's condemned offenders already are more likely to die of old age, other natural causes or suicide than by the executioner's needle.

Los Angeles Times

But Mr. Dieter and other advocates argue that with decisions on competence generally left up to judges and Governors who believe themselves to be under enormous public pressure to enforce the death penalty, there are many cases in which people who are not competent are put to death.

The New York Times

His decision began five years during which Lebanon did not enforce its death penalty law.

The New York Times

After all, many states in this country enforce the death penalty for the murder of a policeman.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Through his actions, we've seen that he is more than willing to enforce the death penalty and start wars.

The New York Times

The botched execution of Oklahoma inmate Clayton Lockett on Tuesday could cause more states that enforce the death penalty to reexamine the practice.

The Washington Post

That year, California voters booted Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird and Justices Cruz Reynoso and Joseph Grodin after opponents accused them of failing to enforce the death penalty.

Los Angeles Times

Out of the list of countries that do actively enforce the death penalty, most are authoritarian governments with a terrible track record of human rights.

HuffPost

South Carolina — along with many other states that still enforce the death penalty — hasn't been able to secure the lethal injection drugs necessary to carry out executions, largely because of the stigma surrounding how they're used.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enforce death", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are discussing legal systems, ethical considerations, or specific scenarios involving capital punishment or deadly force. Clarity is paramount to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Do not use "enforce death" in contexts where the meaning could be misconstrued as promoting violence or extrajudicial killings. Always provide sufficient context to clarify that you are referring to legally sanctioned processes or discussing the concept critically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enforce death" functions primarily as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and used in the context of capital punishment. It signifies the act of implementing or carrying out a death sentence as a legal consequence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "enforce death" is grammatically sound but carries significant weight due to its association with capital punishment and legal systems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used in contexts discussing the implementation of the death penalty. While its usage is relatively rare, it is most commonly found in News & Media, Academic and Scientific sources, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, clarity and context are essential to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives like "impose capital punishment" or "carry out executions" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impose capital punishment

More specific; focuses on the legal aspect of applying the death penalty.

implement the death penalty

Similar to impose capital punishment but broader, encompassing all aspects of putting the penalty into effect.

carry out executions

Focuses on the act of performing a death sentence.

order an execution

Emphasizes the act of commanding a death sentence to be carried out.

administer lethal punishment

Highlights the process of giving a punishment that results in death.

mandate execution

Focuses on the compulsory nature of carrying out a death sentence.

decree a death sentence

Emphasizes the formal declaration of a death as punishment.

authorize capital punishment

Highlights the act of giving permission for the death penalty to be used.

prescribe death as punishment

Focuses on establishing death as a standard penalty for certain offenses.

legalize lethal force

Broadens the context to include any legally sanctioned use of deadly force.

FAQs

What does "enforce death" mean in legal terms?

In a legal context, "enforce death" typically refers to the implementation and execution of the death penalty as a punishment for certain crimes. It signifies the carrying out of a death sentence that has been legally mandated.

Are there alternative phrases I can use instead of "enforce death"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "impose capital punishment", "carry out executions", or "implement the death penalty".

Is "enforce death" grammatically correct?

Yes, "enforce death" is grammatically correct, although its usage is often limited to discussions about the death penalty or legally sanctioned killing. It is crucial to use it with care to avoid misunderstandings.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "enforce death"?

The phrase is appropriate in discussions about legal systems, criminal justice, and ethical debates surrounding capital punishment. However, it should be avoided in casual conversation or where it might be misconstrued as advocating violence.