policing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "policing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a verb, meaning to enforce a system of laws, usually within a specific geographic area or group. For example, "The police have been tasked with policing the downtown area for any criminal activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is a long-running show on Italia 1 called Le lene and, a while back, three of its regulars, Trio Medusa, collared the Rome city official with responsibility for policing the stadium and took him through some hypothetical questions about what would happen if a female tourist was repeatedly struck in the face and the attackers took her camera.

The Guardian - Sport

"We have given local areas the power to restrict the sale of alcohol in the early hours and to ensure those who profit from a late-night licence help pay towards the costs of policing.

The Guardian

He told the Today programme: "I have to agree with a lot of what the home secretary said … A lot of the various scandals have damaged the image of policing … The federation needs to get on with the change agreed yesterday".

The Guardian

Civic planners in the world's largest metropolises have learned how to make urban spaces safer and more liveable, allowing cities to recover, thanks to new approaches to policing and social investment," he says.

The Guardian

They may also gain from the mismatch between what people are voting for – a tempering of austerity – and what they are getting: a new European regime dictating and policing the taxation and spending policies of national governments.

The Guardian

New Labour rightly distilled the lesson that there can be advantages to being open to international investment – think of Toyota's expanding Derbyshire plant – but wrongly leapt to the conclusion that the state's only duty in policing takeovers was to safeguard competition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both men will remain as MPs and Mr Hume as an MEP, but news of their resignations comes at a time when all sides are attempting to strike a deal on IRA decommissioning, policing and demilitarisation by Saturday night.

The Guardian

The union is worried about the spread of industry-appointed poultry inspection assistants (PIAs) working alongside official staff of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) whose vets and inspectors are responsible for policing the abattoirs.

The Guardian

What really matters is that the public get a credible snapshot of what policing this city is all about and can trust what they are seeing.

The Guardian

A second protest has been organised by "Eirigi", a relatively new republican pressure group comprised of many former disillusioned Sinn Féin members opposed to the party's participation in government with the DUP and its new support for policing.

The Guardian

In addition to protecting the life of the president and the vice-president, the secret service, which has about 4,600 employees, is in charge of policing counterfeiting and online fraud.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing systematic approaches to maintaining public order, use "policing" to emphasize the organized and official nature of the process.

Common error

Be specific about the context when using "policing". Avoid using it in overly broad or vague situations where the specific action or entity involved isn't clear.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "policing" is as a noun (referring to the activity of a police force) or a verb (in its present participle form, describing the act of maintaining order). As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s actively used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "policing" is a versatile term that functions as both a noun and a verb, primarily concerning the activities of maintaining order and enforcing laws. As Ludwig AI clarifies, its widespread usage across diverse sources—including news media, formal business documents, and scientific publications—underscores its broad applicability. While grammatically correct, using "policing" effectively involves understanding its contextual nuances and avoiding overly broad generalizations. Related terms like "law enforcement" and "maintaining order" offer alternative ways to convey similar concepts. Mastering "policing" requires precision and awareness of its various implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

law enforcement

Focuses specifically on the aspect of enforcing laws and regulations.

maintaining order

Emphasizes the act of preserving peace and preventing disruptions.

regulation

Highlights the establishment and enforcement of rules and guidelines.

oversight

Implies a supervisory role to ensure compliance and proper conduct.

guarding

Conveys the idea of protecting and defending an area or entity.

patrolling

Refers to the act of regularly monitoring an area to prevent crime.

supervision

Suggests a more general form of monitoring and guidance.

monitoring

Focuses on observing and tracking activities for specific purposes.

surveillance

Implies a closer observation, often for security or investigative reasons.

keeping watch

Highlights the vigilance and attentiveness in maintaining security.

FAQs

How is "policing" used in a sentence?

The term "policing" can be used as a noun, referring to the activities of a police force, or as a verb, meaning to maintain order. For example: "The effectiveness of community policing depends on trust" or "They are policing the border to prevent illegal crossings".

What are some synonyms for "policing"?

Alternatives to "policing" include "law enforcement", "maintaining order", and "regulation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "policing" always related to legal enforcement?

While often associated with law enforcement, "policing" can also refer to the act of monitoring or regulating any system or activity, not just those involving legal statutes. For example, "policing" social media content.

What is the difference between "policing" and "oversight"?

"Policing" typically implies a more active role in enforcing rules and maintaining order, whereas "oversight" suggests a more passive supervisory role, ensuring that rules are followed.