enforce the law

USAGE SUMMARY

"enforce the law" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the action of upholding and maintaining the laws of a certain jurisdiction. For example: "The police department is dedicated to enforcing the law in a fair and impartial manner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gordon The N.Y.P.D. must enforce the law.

The New York Times

"To enforce the law means everything".

The New York Times - Arts

What they do is enforce the law.

The Economist

"I had to enforce the law.

The New York Times

"We vigorously enforce the law".

The New York Times

The government has to enforce the law.

The New York Times

"We already enforce the law," he said.

The New York Times

They enforce the law," he says.

The Guardian

We can't selectively enforce the law".

The New York Times

"You enforce the law, or you don't".

The New York Times

My job is to enforce the law".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enforce the law", specify which entity is responsible for enforcement (e.g., police, government agencies) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "enforce the law" without specifying who is responsible. For example, instead of saying "The law must be enforced", specify "The police must enforce the law" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enforce the law" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of compelling obedience to a legal code. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enforce the law" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of ensuring that laws and regulations are followed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is predominantly used in news and media contexts, indicating its relevance in discussions about legal compliance and the responsibilities of law enforcement. Alternatives such as "implement the law" or "uphold the law" can be used to add nuance to the discussion. When using "enforce the law", it is best practice to specify the entity responsible for enforcement to avoid ambiguity. A common error is to use the phrase without clearly attributing the responsibility to a specific body.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Uphold the law

Highlights maintaining the integrity and validity of the law, similar to enforcing but with an emphasis on moral obligation.

Apply the law

Stresses the direct application of legal rules to specific cases or situations.

Implement the law

Focuses on putting the law into effect, a more active implementation compared to simply maintaining it.

Execute the law

Implies a forceful and decisive action to ensure the law is followed.

Administer the law

Emphasizes the procedural and managerial aspects of applying the law.

Carry out the law

Focuses on the practical execution of the law, ensuring that it is fully implemented.

Ensure compliance with the law

Shifts the focus to achieving adherence to the law, rather than the act of enforcing itself.

See to the enforcement of the law

More verbose, emphasizing oversight and ensuring that enforcement occurs.

Maintain legal order

Broadens the scope to encompass overall order, with law enforcement as a key component.

Secure adherence to the law

Highlights the achievement of compliance through enforcement and other means.

FAQs

What does "enforce the law" mean?

To "enforce the law" means to ensure that laws and regulations are followed, typically through the actions of law enforcement agencies or governmental bodies.

What can I say instead of "enforce the law"?

You can use alternatives like "implement the law", "uphold the law", or "apply the law" depending on the specific context.

Who is typically responsible to "enforce the law"?

Law enforcement agencies, such as the police, and governmental regulatory bodies are typically responsible to "enforce the law".

Why is it important to "enforce the law"?

It's important to "enforce the law" to maintain order, ensure justice, and protect the rights and safety of citizens.