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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
regulates to
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "regulates to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers, as "regulates" typically requires a direct object or a preposition that indicates what is being regulated. Example: "The agency regulates the use of pesticides to ensure safety."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
24 human-written examples
The F.D.I.C. directed the 5,100 banks that it regulates to document how they have used government money that they have received.
News & Media
The agency has become willing to let some problems slip by, these critics say, and to allow the companies it regulates to go further with their marketing claims.
News & Media
Anything else would be edited off the shelves by responsible businesses and/or a government that regulates to put people and planet first.
News & Media
The F.D.I.C. forced the banks it regulates to pay an additional fee earlier this year that will add another $5.6 billion to the fund's coffers.
News & Media
In addition, the SEC still lacks a consistent identification code for each entity it regulates to allow it to quickly view a firm's filings, history, and external data sources.
News & Media
In Bangladesh, the Central Bank has made it mandatory for the banks it regulates to introduce environmental risk management systems and is now actively monitoring implementation, including the volume of green finance.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
35 human-written examples
"Taxis are regulated to promote public safety.
News & Media
But health care markets must be carefully regulated to work.
News & Media
In fact, many waste products they want to use are too tightly regulated to obtain.
News & Media
Commissions would be regulated to discourage agents from churning people from one plan to another.
News & Media
It joins a long list of contenders regulated to the laboratory dustbin despite high scientific hopes.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When intending to use "regulates", ensure a direct object follows the verb, specifying what is being regulated. For example: "The agency regulates emissions." If you want to specify how or why something is regulated, use prepositions like "to ensure", "to prevent", etc. in a separate clause.
Common error
Avoid using "regulates to" without a clear object or purpose. This construction often leads to ambiguity. Instead, complete the phrase with a direct object or rephrase for clarity. For example, instead of "The agency regulates to ensure safety," write "The agency regulates the industry to ensure safety."
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "regulates to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Regulates" is a transitive verb that requires a direct object. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a standard expression and may confuse readers, as "regulates" typically requires a direct object or a preposition that indicates what is being regulated.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Science
41%
Formal & Business
8%
Less common in
Wiki
1%
Reference
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "regulates to" appears with moderate frequency across various sources like news media and scientific articles, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, it's best to follow "regulates" with the object being regulated (e.g., "The agency regulates emissions") or to use alternative verbs like "controls", "governs", or "manages". Pay attention to the most common error: Incomplete phrasing, avoid using "regulates to" without a clear object or purpose.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
regulates
This is the base verb without the preposition, making it grammatically sound.
controls
This alternative conveys a sense of authority and direct influence.
governs
This suggests a more formal and structured system of regulation.
manages
This implies a practical approach to oversee and direct.
supervises
This focuses on oversight and ensuring compliance.
oversees
Similar to "supervises", but with a broader scope of responsibility.
monitors
This emphasizes ongoing observation and assessment.
legislates
Suggests regulation through law-making.
sets standards for
This implies establishing benchmarks and criteria.
establishes guidelines for
This emphasizes the provision of advisory principles.
FAQs
How should I correctly use the word "regulates" in a sentence?
The verb "regulates" requires a direct object. For instance, say "The government "regulates the industry"" instead of "The government regulates to".
What are some alternative ways to express the idea of "regulates to"?
Is it grammatically correct to say "regulates to"?
No, the phrase "regulates to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Regulates" needs a direct object to specify what is being regulated. You can follow it with a clause that explains the purpose of the regulation, such as "The agency regulates emissions to protect public health".
What's the difference between "regulates" and "regulates to"?
"Regulates" is a verb that requires a direct object, indicating what is being controlled or governed. The addition of "to" without a clear object creates an incomplete and grammatically incorrect phrase. For instance, "The committee "regulates the budget"" is correct, while "The committee regulates to" is not.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested