enforce in practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enforce in practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the implementation or application of rules, laws, or policies in real-world situations. Example: "While the new regulations are well-drafted, the real challenge lies in how to enforce them in practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

De Kerchove replied that a precedent existed for such restrictions, which he felt could help mitigate Schengen concerns of member states, though they would be difficult to enforce in practice.

The Guardian

Of course, under property and liability policies the insurer may attempt to recover from liable third parties under the right of subrogation, but subrogation rights are often not possible to enforce in practice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although Chile's companies may have borrowed less from foreign banks, other short-term flows have increased, so total short-term capital inflows have not been reduced.Don't run before you can walkChile's experience suggests that even if they were desirable in theory, capital controls may be difficult to enforce in practice.

The Economist

But independence will be impossible to enforce in practice, since nothing in the bill would prevent the Fed from lobbying the council or other regulators reviewing the bureau's rules — and Mr. Bernanke and his colleagues would surely carry a lot of weight.

The New York Times

Local authorities are obliged to provide education for children aged from five to 16 regardless of their immigration status; illegal migrants are required to pay for treatment on the National Health Service, but this is difficult to enforce in practice.Yet none of its good points will prevent Mr Clegg's plan from being controversial.

The Economist

While ratification and implementation of the OECD Convention came about quite quickly, several countries found it difficult to enforce in practice.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

What matters is not the rights that exist on paper in the Constitution, but whether they can be exercised and enforced in practice.

The Guardian

"It (the Privacy Shield) is fundamentally different from the old Safe Harbour: it imposes clear and strong obligations on companies handling the data and makes sure that these rules are followed and enforced in practice," Ansip and Jourova said.

The Guardian - Tech

In reality, competition law already applies to NHS entities where they perform commercial activities and certainly for private healthcare activities such as PPUs, so the real question was not whether competition law applies to such activities (it does) but how it should be enforced in practice.

The Guardian

Rather than a voluntary gift, climate finance is theorised as compulsory, an obligation on polluting countries that is not only moral but quasi-legal (only quasi-legal because it is hard to see how such agreements can actually be enforced in practice).

The Guardian

In a document, the separatists also gave David Cameron a sharp warning, saying: "PS British prime minister David Cameron is on a provisional list (without the sanctions being enforced in practice) and is advised to think carefully about his attitude to the Kiev junta, especially given the traditional good relations between Britain and the Donbas region".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enforce in practice", consider clarifying what specific mechanisms or resources are needed to ensure effective enforcement. For example, specify the role of regulatory bodies, monitoring systems, or community engagement.

Common error

Avoid implying that a policy is automatically effective simply because it exists. Instead, acknowledge the potential challenges in practical enforcement and propose concrete steps to address them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enforce in practice" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify how enforcement is carried out. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to discuss the implementation or application of rules, laws, or policies in real-world scenarios.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enforce in practice" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing how rules and laws are actually applied in real-world situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. It is mostly found in news, science and encyclopedia contexts, implying a neutral to professional tone. It's important to consider potential challenges in practical enforcement and propose concrete steps to address them rather than overstating theoretical enforcement. Alternatives such as "implement in reality" or "apply in the real world" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implement in reality

Focuses on the actual execution of a plan or policy, shifting the emphasis from the theoretical to the practical.

apply in the real world

Highlights the application of something within a tangible context.

effectuate in actuality

Uses more formal language to emphasize the realization of something.

execute in practice

Focuses specifically on the act of carrying out a task or plan.

administer in reality

Highlights the management and application of rules or resources in a practical sense.

prosecute in reality

Similar to "implement in reality" but relates more to judiciary power in force.

make it a working reality

Emphasizes turning an idea into something functional and practical.

put into action effectively

Highlights successful implementation and tangible outcomes.

translate from theory to practice

Focuses on bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical application.

make it happen tangibly

Uses more casual language to indicate practical realization.

FAQs

How can you use "enforce in practice" in a sentence?

You can use "enforce in practice" to discuss the actual application of a rule or law. For example, "The new regulations are well-intentioned, but it remains to be seen how effectively they will be "enforced in practice"".

What is a good alternative to "enforce in practice"?

Alternatives include "implement in reality", "apply in the real world", or "execute in practice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something is difficult to "enforce in practice"?

It means that although a rule or law may exist, there are challenges or obstacles that prevent it from being consistently or effectively applied in real-world situations. This can be due to lack of resources, resistance from stakeholders, or loopholes in the legislation.

Is there a difference between "enforce" and "enforce in practice"?

Yes, "enforce" generally refers to the act of making sure a rule or law is followed, while "enforce in practice" emphasizes how that enforcement actually plays out in real-world situations. The latter acknowledges the potential gap between the intention of a law and its actual implementation.