enforce discipline

USAGE SUMMARY

'enforce discipline' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of ensuring that rules or regulations are followed. For example: "The teacher had to enforce discipline among the rowdy students of the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Teachers lost the authority to enforce discipline in the classroom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Teachers rely on the police to enforce discipline," says Simpkins.

The Guardian

"Correctional officers have to enforce discipline in an incredibly tough environment," he said.

The New York Times - Books

Describes the tortuous methods employed by the prisons to enforce discipline.

The New Yorker

It is possible that dollarisation can enforce discipline in what is essentially a failed state.

The Economist

And in an effort to enforce discipline, posher schools have banned pupils from carrying money.

The Economist

That means it will fall to OPEC members to enforce discipline under the new quota system.

The New York Times

There are signs that some OPEC member nations are already trying to enforce discipline on others.

The New York Times

He said the peacekeepers must respect their UN mandate and enforce discipline.

The Guardian

Human rights mean that school teachers cannot enforce discipline at school?

The Guardian - Opinion

Now it seems the PRI has lost the ability to enforce discipline within its own ranks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enforce discipline", clearly define the rules or standards being enforced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "enforce discipline" to justify disproportionately severe punishments, as this can lead to negative consequences and resentment. Consider the context and the severity of the infraction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enforce discipline" functions as a verb phrase, where "enforce" is the transitive verb and "discipline" is its direct object. It describes the action of compelling obedience to rules or standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common expression in the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enforce discipline" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of ensuring adherence to rules and standards. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples from sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as in formal business contexts. Alternatives include "ensure compliance" and "maintain order", offering subtle variations in meaning. When employing this phrase, remember to be clear about the specific rules being enforced and to avoid disproportionate punishments. The high frequency and authoritative sources confirm its widespread acceptance and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ensure compliance

This focuses on making sure people follow rules or regulations.

demand adherence

This emphasizes the requirement of sticking to rules or guidelines.

impose order

This alternative focuses on establishing order, rather than specifically enforcing pre-existing rules.

apply sanctions

This focuses on the application of penalties to enforce rules.

maintain control

This suggests a broader sense of keeping a situation under control, which may or may not involve enforcing rules.

exercise authority

This highlights the use of authority to ensure rules are followed.

implement regulations

This alternative focuses on putting regulations into effect, which often involves enforcement.

uphold standards

This emphasizes maintaining standards of behavior or performance through enforcement.

administer punishment

This alternative refers specifically to giving out punishments as a means of enforcing rules.

instill obedience

This suggests creating a culture of obedience through enforcement.

FAQs

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

You can use "enforce discipline" to describe the act of ensuring rules or regulations are followed, for example: "The manager had to enforce discipline among the employees to improve productivity."

What's a good alternative to "enforce discipline"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "ensure compliance", "maintain order", or "uphold standards".

Is it always necessary to "enforce discipline"?

While maintaining order is important, it's not always necessary to strictly "enforce discipline". Sometimes, a more flexible approach or understanding the reasons behind non-compliance can be more effective.

What is the difference between "enforce discipline" and "deliver discipline"?

"Enforce discipline" means to make sure that rules are obeyed, while "deliver discipline" implies administering a punishment or correction. The former is about upholding standards, the latter is about consequences.