random enforcement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "random enforcement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the inconsistent or arbitrary application of rules, laws, or policies. Example: "The random enforcement of traffic laws in the city has led to confusion among drivers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The benefits of what is basically random enforcement are likely to be small.

The Washington Post

For centuries, a combination of conflicting laws and random enforcement has caused Russians to come up with elaborate ways to avoid compliance.

The New York Times

For centuries, a multitude of often-contradictory laws and random enforcement have encouraged Russians to come up with elaborate ways of avoiding compliance.

The New York Times

In "The Origins of Totalitarianism," Hannah Arendt repeatedly stresses arbitrariness as a key characteristic of state terror: it is random enforcement that undermines any faith in the law and arbitrariness that robs people of their ability to act.

The New Yorker

And though local mixologists can now breathe a sigh of relief, many people in the industry claim that the law was part of a bigger problem, pointing to the seemingly random enforcement of confusing and outdated laws.

Huffington Post

To critics of the Trump administration's tactics, the fact that a majority of arrests were not the people ICE targeted is more evidence that while officials talk of going after MS-13 gang members and "bad hombres," they see an upside to using random enforcement to scare people.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We modeled four scenarios (status quo, random, law enforcement, and land-use intensification) and simulated their resulting landscape trajectories for the year 2019 using DINAMICA.

Forest Ecology and Management

"Your next best option with the resources you have, I think," said Gulasekarsm of the tactics flowing from Trump's immigration orders, "is making a show of random hyper-enforcement with the hope that people do in fact live in fear of removal proceedings, and then perhaps self-deport because they don't want to live under the psychological stress of this".

Vice

12.00pm BST A word from Emily Wilson, who's been chatting to the local law enforcement: A random copper here says it is organised gangs of thieves operating here, skinning drunk kids of their iPhones and iPads and cash.

The Guardian - Music

Liaisons contact an additional "stratified random sample" of law enforcement agencies of various sizes that were not associated with any report of an arrest-related death, to see whether any of them have in fact had such an incident.

The Guardian

State worker unions did not challenge the constitutionality of random testing of law enforcement and workers in safety-sensitive jobs.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or policy matters, clearly define what constitutes "random enforcement" to avoid ambiguity. Provide specific examples or criteria.

Common error

While often used to criticize inconsistent application of rules, consider whether "random enforcement" might be strategically employed in certain contexts, such as deterring specific behaviors through unpredictable checks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "random enforcement" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used to describe or critique the implementation of laws or regulations. Ludwig AI shows it describes policing tactics, laws in different countries, or general state terror.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "random enforcement" is used to describe situations where rules and laws are applied inconsistently or unpredictably. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent use in news and media contexts. While the phrase can be used neutrally, it often carries negative connotations, suggesting unfairness or a lack of transparency. Alternatives like "arbitrary enforcement" or "inconsistent enforcement" may be suitable depending on the specific context. When using the phrase, it's important to define what constitutes "random enforcement" clearly. Avoid assuming it's always negative, and consider whether unpredictable application might sometimes be strategically useful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arbitrary enforcement

This alternative emphasizes the lack of a rational basis for the enforcement.

inconsistent enforcement

Highlights the lack of uniformity in how rules are applied.

uneven application of the law

Focuses on the disparity in how laws are implemented.

selective enforcement

Suggests that certain individuals or groups are targeted more than others.

erratic enforcement

Emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the enforcement.

capricious enforcement

Implies that enforcement decisions are based on whims or fancies.

unpredictable application

Focuses on the inability to foresee when and how rules will be enforced.

sporadic enforcement

Indicates that enforcement occurs infrequently or irregularly.

hit-or-miss enforcement

Suggests that enforcement is unreliable and may or may not occur.

unequal enforcement

Similar to "uneven application", but more direct in stating the lack of equality.

FAQs

What does "random enforcement" mean?

"Random enforcement" refers to the inconsistent and unpredictable application of rules or laws. It lacks a clear or consistent pattern and can appear arbitrary.

What are some synonyms for "random enforcement"?

Alternatives include "arbitrary enforcement", "inconsistent enforcement", or "selective enforcement". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can "random enforcement" affect public perception of the law?

"Random enforcement" can erode public trust in the legal system, as it suggests that the rules are not applied fairly or consistently.

Is "random enforcement" ever a good thing?

In some cases, unpredictable enforcement might deter certain behaviors by creating uncertainty. However, the benefits are often outweighed by concerns about fairness and potential for abuse.