official policy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "official policy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a formal guideline or rule established by an organization or authority. Example: "The official policy regarding remote work will be communicated to all employees next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The official policy is clear.

The Economist

"It is not an official policy.

The New York Times

It became official policy the following year.

The New York Times

But circumventing official policy is difficult.

The Economist

Indeed this has always been official policy.

The Economist

Official policy is partly to blame.

The Economist

"That's the official policy.

The Guardian

Official policy regarding College Communication.

Columbia University

It was the result of official policy.

The New Yorker

Read the full, official policy here.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And official policy is often contradictory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "official policy", always clarify which organization or entity's policy you are referring to for clarity. Be as specific as possible to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "official policy" interchangeably with "procedure". A policy is a guiding principle, while a procedure is a specific set of actions to implement that policy. Understand and communicate the difference clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "official policy" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a formally established rule, guideline, or principle adopted by an organization, government, or other authority. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "official policy" is a noun phrase signifying established rules or guidelines. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various domains. Its meaning centers on conveying formally sanctioned principles or directives. While synonyms like "formal regulation" or "established guideline" exist, the specific context dictates the most appropriate choice. It's crucial to distinguish between policies and procedures and to specify the organization when using this phrase for clarity. The phrase's prevalence in news, academic, and formal business contexts underscores its significance in these areas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Established guideline

Focuses on the guiding nature and acceptance of the policy.

Defined regulation

Emphasizes the clear and specific nature of the regulation.

Formal regulation

Emphasizes the structured and documented aspect of the policy.

Approved protocol

Stresses the formal approval and structured nature of the policy.

Standard procedure

Highlights the routine and consistent application of the policy.

Organizational rule

Refers to the policy as a specific rule within an organization.

Government mandate

Specifies that the policy is issued by a governmental body.

Company directive

Indicates the policy originates from a corporate entity.

Sanctioned practice

Implies that the policy has been officially approved and endorsed.

Legislated act

Highlights the legal enactment of the policy.

FAQs

How can I use "official policy" in a sentence?

You can use "official policy" to describe the formal rules or guidelines of an organization, such as, "The company's "official policy" on data privacy is strictly enforced."

What are some synonyms for "official policy"?

Alternatives include "formal regulation", "established guideline", or "standard procedure" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the official policy is that..."?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For example, "The "official policy" is that all employees must attend the annual training session."

What's the difference between "official policy" and "unofficial policy"?

"Official policy" refers to documented and enforced rules, while "unofficial policy" represents practices or understandings that are not formally written or sanctioned. "The team followed an "unofficial policy" of arriving 15 minutes early, even though the "official policy" stated otherwise."