take strict measures

USAGE SUMMARY

"take strict measures" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to emphasize that something needs to be done or enforced with a high degree of severity or rigor. For example, "In order to protect the public from the spread of this virus, the government needs to take strict measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We need that evidence, if available, so that we can take strict measures".

The New York Times

We will demand that the US side take strict measures to prevent something like this from happening again".

The Guardian

BEIRUT, Lebanon Syriaia warned countries on Sunday not to recognize a new opposition group, the Syrian National Council, and threatened to take "strict measures" against any that did.

The New York Times

Former president Pervez Musharraf heavily criticised the attack while giving a telephonic conference to the Karachi Press Club and advised the government to take strict measures at a diplomatic level.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As Dan Chung explained in a post on the DSLR Shooter blog, when Mr. Lankester started recording this interview with a woman in the crowd that heckled London's mayor as he toured Clapham Junction on Tuesday, it spontaneously evolved into a heated debate about the need for parents to take stricter measures to control their children:.

The New York Times

"We will take stricter measures that will help us detect gays who will be then barred from entering Kuwait or any of the GCC member states," Yousuf Mindkar, the director of public health at Kuwait's ministry of health, told a local newspaper.

The Guardian

It commended the government for taking "strict measures to check such untoward events".

The New York Times

Instead, the emperor took strict measures against further invasions by Teutonic bands and did not permit any doubts to arise as to Roman claims of superiority over the barbarians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I believe in taking strict measures, like doing background checks, banning automatic/semi-automatic weapons, and limiting the amount of ammo a person can purchase and have in the magazine.

Huffington Post

Many prep schools are now taking stricter measures to determine a potential student's status.

The New York Times

Travelers to forested areas of endemicity should be advised to take strict antimosquito measures and prophylaxis.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take strict measures", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific actions are being taken or considered. Avoid vague statements; be specific about the measures to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the effectiveness of the "take strict measures" without providing evidence or justification. Overstating can undermine credibility; instead, focus on realistic outcomes and potential limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take strict measures" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action to be performed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

9%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take strict measures" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that conveys the need for decisive and rigorous action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable in written English and used to emphasize that actions need to be enforced with a high degree of severity. While not extremely frequent, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. The phrase is considered to be neutral in register. Related phrases include alternatives such as "implement rigorous actions" and "enforce stringent regulations". Effective use of the phrase involves specifying the measures being taken and avoiding overstatements about their impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implement rigorous actions

Replaces "strict measures" with a more formal and emphatic way to express that serious actions are being implemented.

enforce stringent regulations

Focuses on enforcing regulations rather than just taking measures. "Stringent" emphasizes the tightness and rigor of the rules.

apply firm controls

Emphasizes the application of controls, suggesting a systematic approach to maintaining order.

adopt severe precautions

Shifts the focus to preventative actions, with "severe" highlighting the intensity of the precautions.

institute tough policies

Emphasizes the establishment of firm policies, focusing on the creation and enforcement of rules.

impose heavy sanctions

Specifically refers to imposing penalties or sanctions, which is a more concrete type of "strict measure".

exercise decisive control

Focuses on the act of controlling situations decisively, emphasizing authority and immediate action.

initiate immediate action

Highlights the immediacy of the action, focusing on quick and direct intervention.

undertake uncompromising steps

Emphasizes the firmness and resoluteness of the steps taken, suggesting a lack of willingness to compromise.

move to enforce compliance

Focuses specifically on ensuring that rules or directives are followed, shifting the emphasis to compliance.

FAQs

How can I use "take strict measures" in a sentence?

You can use "take strict measures" to indicate that serious actions are being implemented to address a problem. For example, "The government must "take strict measures" to combat climate change."

What are some alternatives to "take strict measures"?

Alternatives include "implement rigorous actions", "enforce stringent regulations", or "apply firm controls", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "take strict measures" or "taking strict measures"?

Both are correct, but they function differently in a sentence. "Take strict measures" is often used as an infinitive or imperative, while "taking strict measures" is a gerund or participle. For instance, "They need to "take strict measures"" versus "Taking strict measures is essential."

What's the difference between "take strict measures" and "take firm measures"?

"Take strict measures" implies a higher degree of severity or enforcement compared to "take firm measures". "Strict" suggests a rigid adherence to rules, whereas "firm" implies a resolute and unwavering approach.