regulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "regulate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something is controlling, directing, or managing something else. For example, "The government regulates the prices of many products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If a case goes to trial, BP will blame Halliburton, Halliburton will blame BP, they'll both blame the regulators for failing to regulate them (after they had finished destroying the regulators' ability to regulate), and everybody will get off easy.I think I, too, am reluctantly concluding that we have a system-wide problem.

The Economist

It's not a very prescriptive working theory, unless your priors lead you to believe that the solution to any given problem is decentralisation of power.All of which is to say that it's all well and good to argue that legislators and regulators aren't going to have enough knowledge to regulate and legislate, and should therefore be stripped of some of their powers.

The Economist

Fiercest opposition came from Patrick McLoughlin's Department for Transport, which flatly opposed Manchester's desire to regulate local bus companies.

The Guardian

Exercise also helps you sleep better, and helps regulate your appetite, two functions that are very much affected by high levels of stress.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It can regulate changes in the labour market, the level of services it provides and all of this with an eye on economic growth, jobs and personal wellbeing.

The Guardian

Bloggers have also complained that the law's terminology is too vague, and wondered how the media watchdog could possibly hope to regulate all site users and reliably count their readers.

The Guardian

Mexico City officials have said they will study ways to regulate the app, but also stressed that regular, medallion cabs should bring themselves up to date and use apps as well.

The Guardian - Tech

Tony Abbott has sought to reassure wary colleagues and big mining companies that any government-backed inquiry into Australia's iron ore sector would be a fact-finding mission rather than an attempt to regulate the market.

The Guardian - Business

Since the start of President Vladimir Putin's third term in 2012, the government has launched a crackdown on the internet in Russia, passing laws that give state supervisory bodies wide-ranging powers to to regulate and block websites.

The Guardian

Ugalde saw another threat in the possibility of postelection legal challenges, in part because new electoral laws highly regulate campaign funding, advertising and spending, and make violations a potential cause for overturning results.

The Guardian

Barry Ramshaw Bristol The application of discrimination law to settle these questions of conflicts of belief is taking us away from a free society and towards one where a secular priesthood of judges, bureaucrats and activists regulate every aspect of our lives.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "regulate", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being controlled, the authority doing the controlling, and the intended outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "regulate" when a weaker term like "influence" or "guide" more accurately reflects the level of control exerted. Overstating the degree of control can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "regulate" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. It signifies the act of controlling or directing something according to rules or laws. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples, reinforcing this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "regulate" functions as a transitive verb used to express controlling or directing something according to established rules. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and sees frequent use in formal contexts like news, business, and science, with primary usage in the News & Media category. When using "regulate", it's vital to clearly state what's being controlled and the intended outcome to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like "control", "manage", and "govern" can offer nuanced shades of meaning, enriching your vocabulary. "Regulate" is a versatile term, appearing in a wide range of contexts where structure and order are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control

Focuses more on direct influence and command.

manage

Emphasizes handling and overseeing operations.

govern

Implies a broader scope of authority and administration.

adjust

Highlights making small changes to achieve a desired state.

standardize

Focuses on making things uniform and consistent.

supervise

Implies overseeing activities to ensure compliance.

direct

Focuses on guiding and influencing the course of action.

oversee

Emphasizes the act of watching over and managing.

monitor

Highlights the continuous observation and tracking of something.

police

Suggests enforcing rules and maintaining order.

FAQs

How can I use "regulate" in a sentence?

You can use "regulate" to describe the act of controlling or directing something according to a rule or law. For example, "The government aims to "regulate carbon emissions" to combat climate change."

What are some alternatives to "regulate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "control", "manage", or "govern" to express similar ideas.

What is the difference between "regulate" and "govern"?

"Regulate" often implies controlling something specific based on rules, while "govern" suggests a broader administrative authority. To "govern a country" involves many things, and "regulate an industry" is a part of governing.

Is it better to "regulate" or "allow" a market?

Whether to "regulate" or "allow" a market depends on the specific goals and context. "Regulating" aims to correct market failures, while "allowing" promotes competition and innovation. Sometimes, it is best to "regulate the market".