governmental reform

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "governmental reform" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing changes or improvements to government policies, structures, or processes. An example: "The new administration is focused on governmental reform to enhance transparency and efficiency." Alternative expressions include "government reform" and "public sector reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Governmental reform was botched but some, at least, took place.

The Economist

THE new governor has tried to have it both ways on serious governmental reform.

The Economist

Paul wrote essays proposing governmental reform and a rule of law in Russia.

The New York Times - Arts

Shortly after May 1705 a secretaryship of war and finance was created, an initial step in Orry's governmental reform program.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He served as a consultant and composed proposals on social and governmental reform for the emperors Manuel II Palaeologus (reigned 1391 1425) and John VIII Palaeologus (1425 48).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The former British prime minister's consultancy firm was paid a reported £27million in 2009 to advise Kuwait's rulers on "political and economic trends and governmental reform".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

A local commission, elected in 1865 to recommend governmental reforms, reported that slavery should be abolished before any other meaningful reforms were attempted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Republicans' new "Pledge to America" promises the $3.8 trillion addition to the deficit and says nothing about serious budget cuts or governmental reforms that might remotely offset it.

The New York Times

Revolts of the Austrian nobility, disputes with the German princes, and inability to carry out governmental reforms caused Frederick to withdraw almost completely from German affairs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Aguinaldo and other revolutionary leaders accepted exile in Hong Kong and 400,000 pesos, plus Spanish promises of substantial governmental reforms, in return for laying down their arms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, Italy was so much more tightly governed than Francia that to some extent it served as a model for Charlemagne's governmental reforms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using the plural "governmental reforms" when referring to a specific set of distinct legislative or administrative measures.

Common error

Avoid using "governmental reform" when you specifically mean changes to how elections are run or how parties function. In those cases, "political reform" is the more precise choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "governmental reform" acts as a noun phrase composed of the relational adjective governmental and the head noun reform. In sentences provided by Ludwig, it typically functions as the direct object of verbs like "propose", "demand", or "achieve".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "governmental reform" is a standard and highly effective phrase for describing systemic state improvements. Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct and common term used across prestigious news and academic platforms. While often interchangeable with "government reform", the adjective form used here adds a layer of formality. It is particularly relevant in contexts involving transparency, anti-corruption measures, and bureaucratic efficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

government reform

Uses a noun adjunct instead of an adjective, which is slightly more common in modern American English.

governance reform

Shifts focus from the entity of the government to the processes and systems of power management.

public sector reform

Broader term that encompasses the entire civil service and state-run organizations.

institutional reform

Focuses on the established rules and foundational organizations within the state.

administrative reform

Narrowly targets the internal bureaucratic and executive functions of the government.

political reform

Emphasizes changes to the electoral system or legislative processes rather than structural administration.

structural state change

More descriptive and technical, often used in political science to describe fundamental shifts.

state restructuring

Often implies a reorganization of the relationship between different levels of government.

bureaucratic overhaul

More informal and emphasizes a thorough or aggressive modernization of the bureaucracy.

policy transformation

Focuses on the ideological output and legislative goals rather than the organizational structure.

FAQs

How do I use governmental reform in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject or object when discussing state changes, for example: "The administration's primary goal is to implement deep "governmental reform" to reduce corruption."

What is the difference between governmental reform and government reform?

There is very little semantic difference. "government reform" is more common in contemporary usage, while "governmental reform" often feels more formal or academic.

Can I say governance reform instead?

Yes, if you are referring specifically to the way a country is managed rather than the structure of the government itself, "governance reform" is an excellent alternative.

Is the phrase governmental reform formal?

Yes, it is highly formal. In casual writing or speech, people often prefer the simpler "fixing the government" or "reform".