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police are vs The police are

Both "police are" and "the police are" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Police are" is used when referring to the police force in a general sense, while "the police are" is used when referring to a specific group of police officers.

Last updated: September 16, 2024 • 752 views

police are

This phrase is correct when referring to the police force in a general sense.

Use "police are" when talking about the police force as a whole, without specifying a particular group of officers.

Examples:

  • Police are responsible for maintaining law and order.
  • Police are trained to handle various emergency situations.
  • Apr 25, 2014 ... Police is a plurale tantum, a word with no singular form. The police are here. ← This is okay. *A police is here. ← This is not.
  • Feb 15, 2013 ... If you're talking about law enforcement, we say "the police are ..." Now I have been told that there is a tendency in American English to also ...
  • Oct 31, 2020 ... For the Walter Wallaces of the world, the police are not the answer. Opinion by Camille Proctor. 5 minute read. Published 3:14 PM EDT, Sat ...
  • Jan 10, 2016 ... Fresno police are using software that has given law enforcement powers to peer into the lives of citizens. (Nick Otto/For The Washington ...
  • May 31, 2021 ... The police are controlling the crowd at the stadium. &. when “police” means the department of police, it takes a singular noun, for example: The ...

Alternatives:

  • Law enforcement officers are
  • The authorities are

The police are

This phrase is correct when referring to a specific group of police officers.

Use "the police are" when talking about a particular group of police officers in a specific context.

Examples:

  • The police are investigating the crime scene.
  • The police are patrolling the neighborhood.
  • Apr 25, 2014 ... Police is a plurale tantum, a word with no singular form. The police are here. ← This is okay. *A police is here. ← This is not.

Alternatives:

  • The law enforcement officers are
  • The authorities are

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