law enforcement

USAGE SUMMARY

"law enforcement" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to either the police forces or the public officials who are responsible for enforcing laws. For example, "The territory has increased its law enforcement presence in troubled neighborhoods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Law enforcement works with law enforcement.

The New York Times

"We're all law enforcement.

The New York Times

"It's just law enforcement.

The New York Times

Local law enforcement is responding.

The New York Times

That's for local law enforcement.

The New Yorker

"Law enforcement is not automatic.

The New Yorker

Law enforcement authorities apparently agreed.

The New York Times - Sports

"Law enforcement became very concerned".

The New York Times

A vigorous law enforcement response is essential.

The New York Times

"Good law enforcement should include effective prosecutions".

The New York Times

Today, war and law enforcement are merging.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "law enforcement", be specific about the agency or level of government involved (e.g., local police, federal agents) to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "law enforcement" as a catch-all term when referring to specific actions or policies. Instead, specify which agencies are responsible and what their roles are in the particular context.

Linguistic Context

Noun phrase functioning as a subject, object, or complement. "Law enforcement" typically refers to the collective bodies responsible for upholding and enforcing laws, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it's used to describe agencies, authorities, and their actions. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "law enforcement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase. It functions primarily to describe the agencies and activities involved in upholding the law. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase across various contexts. While it appears most often in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of discussions. When using "law enforcement", be mindful of specifying the particular agencies involved to avoid overgeneralization. Consider alternatives like "police force" or "criminal justice" depending on the context to refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criminal justice

Focuses on the system dealing with criminal behavior.

police force

Focuses specifically on the police as the enforcing body.

police department

Highlights the organizational aspect of the police.

peace officers

Emphasizes the role of maintaining peace and order.

legal authorities

Highlights the legal basis of the enforcing power.

federal agents

Specifically refers to law enforcement at the national level.

constabulary

A more formal and often historical term for a police force.

authorities

A broader term that can include various regulatory and governing bodies.

security services

Implies a broader range of activities beyond just enforcing laws.

justice system

Encompasses all aspects of legal proceedings and institutions.

FAQs

How is "law enforcement" used in a sentence?

You can use "law enforcement" to refer to the agencies and individuals responsible for upholding the law. For example: "The territory has increased its law enforcement presence in troubled neighborhoods."

What's a good alternative to "law enforcement"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "police force", "peace officers", or "criminal justice".

Is "law enforcement agencies" redundant?

While not strictly redundant, it's often more concise to simply use "law enforcement". The term inherently implies agencies and individuals responsible for enforcing laws.

What is the difference between "law enforcement" and "legal system"?

"Law enforcement" refers specifically to the agencies and individuals that enforce laws, while the "legal system" encompasses all aspects of creating, interpreting, and applying laws.