the policeman

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the policeman" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a male law enforcement officer in a general or specific context. Example: "The policeman arrived at the scene of the accident to assist the injured."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The policeman was arrested.

The Economist

The policeman shrugged.

The New Yorker

The policeman was sarcastic.

The New Yorker

She turned to the policeman.

The New Yorker

The policeman cleared his throat.

The New Yorker

The policeman shouted at her.

The New York Times

"I shouted at the policeman.

The New Yorker

The policeman said, 'Whose head'?

Independent

"Fifteen minutes," the policeman replied.

The New York Times

"Call him," the policeman said.

The New Yorker

"Shut up," said the policeman.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the policeman", ensure the context clarifies which specific officer you are referring to. If it's a general reference, consider using "a policeman" or "police officers".

Common error

Be mindful of the gender specificity of "policeman". In contemporary writing, using gender-neutral terms like "police officer" can avoid unintended bias.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the policeman" functions as a noun phrase, where 'the' is a definite article specifying a particular policeman. Ludwig examples show its use in describing actions, observations, and interactions involving a specific officer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the policeman" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a specific male member of the police force. Ludwig's analysis indicates it's widely used in news and media contexts. While perfectly acceptable, it's important to be mindful of gender neutrality in contemporary writing and consider using alternatives like "the police officer" to avoid unintended bias. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable, providing numerous examples from authoritative sources. Therefore, understanding its context and potential alternatives ensures clear and inclusive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the police officer

Adds "police" before "officer" for clarity, slightly increasing formality.

the officer

Replaces "policeman" with a more generic term for law enforcement personnel.

the patrolman

Specifies a policeman who patrols an area.

the constable

A formal term for a police officer, more common in British English.

the law enforcement officer

A broader term encompassing various types of law enforcement personnel.

the member of the police force

A descriptive phrase indicating someone belonging to the police.

the cop

An informal term for "policeman", suitable for casual contexts.

the authority

Refers to the policeman as a figure of authority.

the detective

If the policeman is working as a detective in a specific case.

the guard

In specific cases where the policeman also works as a security guard.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "the policeman"?

You can use alternatives like "the officer", "the police officer", or "the cop" depending on the context.

Is "the policeman" grammatically correct?

Yes, "the policeman" is grammatically correct when referring to a specific male member of the police force. However, using "the police officer" is often preferred as a gender-neutral alternative.

How to use "the policeman" in a sentence?

You can use "the policeman" in a sentence like this: "The policeman arrived at the scene to investigate the incident."

Which is correct, "the policeman" or "the policewoman"?

Both "the policeman" and "the policewoman" are correct, but they specify the gender of the officer. Using "the police officer" is a gender-neutral way to refer to any officer, regardless of gender.