public policy

USAGE SUMMARY

"public policy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a law, regulation, or course of action implemented by a government or public body. For example: "The new public policy has sparked a debate among political analysts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

That's public policy.

The New York Times

Public policy.

Harvard Business Review

The tax is simply bad public policy.

The New York Times

Questions about public policy are partly normative.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The #deathpenalty is a public policy failure.

Independent

It is terribly bad public policy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Further, nEmesis has immediate public-policy applications.

The New York Times

The public-policy angle?

The New Yorker

"It's a public-policy failure".

The New York Times

Media and Public Policy.

Princeton University

Public Policy Polling will release its results on Friday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "public policy" to refer to broad principles and guidelines established by a governing body. For specific laws or regulations, use more precise terminology.

Common error

Avoid using "public policy" interchangeably with "politics". While politics influences policy, "public policy" refers to the actual laws, regulations, and actions taken by a government, whereas politics encompasses the broader processes of gaining and using power.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "public policy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a set of principles, plans, or actions undertaken by a government to achieve specific goals. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "public policy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the principles, plans, and actions undertaken by a government. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, primarily in news, science, and formal business settings. When using the term, it's best to specify the relevant sector (e.g., "health public policy") and avoid confusing it with the broader concept of "politics". While "public policy" is generally neutral, context may make it more formal. Related phrases include "government regulation" and "legislative action".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

policy decisions

Emphasizes the decision-making process in creating policies.

government regulation

Focuses more on the regulatory aspect of government actions.

legislative action

Highlights the role of the legislature in shaping policy.

regulatory framework

Highlights the structure of rules and regulations.

statecraft

Implies the art of governing and managing state affairs.

governance strategy

Focuses on the strategic approach to governing.

government intervention

Highlights when the government takes action.

social program

Focuses on programs designed to address social issues.

political agenda

Refers to a set of plans or goals that politicians have.

civic planning

Implies comprehensive planning at a community level.

FAQs

How is "public policy" typically used in a sentence?

You can use "public policy" to describe a government's plans and actions, as in, "The new "environmental regulations" are a key part of the city's public policy."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "public policy"?

Depending on the context, you might use "government regulation", "legislative action", or "governance strategy" as alternatives to "public policy".

What is the difference between "public policy" and "politics"?

"Public policy" refers to specific actions taken by a government, such as laws and regulations. "Politics", on the other hand, is the process of gaining and exercising power, which can influence public policy but is not the same thing.

What role does data play in the formation of "public policy"?

Data is crucial for informing "public policy" decisions. As seen in the examples, poorly reported data can lead to ineffective or even dangerous "policy decisions".