policy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "policy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a plan or course of action adopted and pursued by a government, organization, or individual, especially with regard to a particular issue or objective. For example: "The company's policy regarding vacation days is generous and highly sought after by potential employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sadly, it is typical of the smears coming from those who would rather not debate policy and substance".

The Guardian

We're going to express solutions and policy ideas that we think have merit.

The Guardian - Business

I can no longer support Govt policy on #Gaza".

The Guardian

As a result, the country lost a further 21 positions in the policy evaluation compared to last year, thus replacing Canada as the worst-performing industrial country".

The Guardian

"You don't like a particular policy or a particular president?" he said.

The New York Times

Margaret Hodge, a former Labour minister and chair of the Commons public accounts committee, also defended the policy, arguing consumers are suffering too much from high prices.

The Guardian - Money

It is understood that Ed Miliband regrets the suggestion was made and does not want the policy dispute between him and the former business secretary to include such allegations.

The Guardian - Money

They were arrested as a result of the British policy of internment without trial in 1971 when thousands of suspects, mainly from Ireland's nationalist-republican community, were rounded up.

The Guardian

Kevin Rudd has been sworn in as prime minister for a second time, three years after being deposed, and now faces the daunting task of reworking policy and replacing more than one-third of the cabinet just months before an election.

The Guardian

If the Conservatives' latest policy of a cut in national insurance was meant to give him a debating advantage against Vince Cable and Alistair Darling, the plan backfired in spectacular fashion.

The Guardian

Trisha Jha is a policy analyst at the Centre for Independent Studies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "policy", be specific about which policy you're referring to, as the term is broad and can apply to various contexts, such as governmental, corporate, or insurance-related matters. Clarity enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid conflating "policy", which is a specific plan or course of action, with "politics", which refers to the activities associated with governance and power. Using the terms interchangeably can lead to miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The word "policy" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a plan of action, a guiding principle, or a contract. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples from Ludwig showcase it in diverse scenarios, such as "government policy" or "company policy."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "policy" is a common noun that refers to a plan, principle, or course of action adopted by an organization or individual. Ludwig AI confirms that "policy" is used correctly in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Related phrases include "course of action" and "governing principle". When using "policy", it's important to be specific and avoid confusing it with related terms like "politics". The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its versatility and broad application across various domains. Its use spans diverse fields, encompassing everything from government actions to corporate guidelines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

course of action

Emphasizes the sequence of steps taken to achieve a specific goal.

governing principle

Highlights the fundamental belief or standard that guides decisions and actions.

strategic plan

Focuses on a detailed roadmap designed to achieve long-term objectives.

official procedure

Refers to a standardized method or set of steps that must be followed.

company guideline

Specifies a rule or recommendation issued by a company for its employees or operations.

established protocol

Indicates a set of rules or procedures that are widely accepted and followed.

legislative act

Focuses on a law or statute enacted by a legislative body.

regulatory framework

Refers to the set of rules, laws, and standards that govern a particular industry or activity.

political strategy

Highlights a plan of action designed to achieve a political goal.

insurance agreement

Refers to a contract between an insurer and a policyholder, outlining the terms of coverage.

FAQs

How is "policy" typically used in a sentence?

"Policy" is often used to describe a set of rules or guidelines adopted by an organization or government. For example, "The company's "privacy policy" outlines how they handle user data."

What are some alternatives to the word "policy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "strategy", "procedure", "guidelines", or "approach".

What's the difference between "policy" and "law"?

"Policy" refers to a set of principles or rules, while "law" is a formal rule enacted by a legislative authority and is legally binding. A "company policy", for instance, is not legally enforceable in the same way a law is.

In what contexts is the term "policy" most frequently used?

The term "policy" is frequently used in contexts related to government, business, and insurance. Examples include "foreign "foreign policy"", "corporate "corporate policy"", and "insurance policy".