policy vs rule

The terms 'policy' and 'rule' are related but have distinct meanings. 'Policy' refers to a set of principles or guidelines that guide decision-making, while 'rule' typically denotes a specific directive or regulation. They are not interchangeable, as 'policy' is broader and more general, while 'rule' is more specific and prescriptive.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 859 views

The term 'policy' is correct and commonly used in English.

"policy"

Use 'policy' to refer to a set of principles or guidelines that guide decision-making within an organization or government.

Examples:

The company has a strict policy against workplace harassment.
The government implemented a new policy to promote renewable energy.
Our school has a policy of zero tolerance for bullying.
The university's admissions policy is under review.
It is important to adhere to the company's safety policy.

Show examples from the web [+]

The armed forces coordinate and legalize the policy.
Ensure a coherent horizontal approach to promote competition policy.
Stakeholders have not been sufficiently involved in policy shaping.
Structural policy simultaneously reacts to and creates regional structures.
A cost-sharing policy must also be established.
The EIB has considerably improved its transparency and communication policy.
Such good practices represent only one stage of Community enterprise policy.
The Union should develop its policy within this context.
Interplay with the broad economic policy guidelines became clearer.
Essentially it advocates policy continuity rather than innovation and change.
This perception betrays a rather narrow-minded budgetary policy.
It's how politicians peddle policy.
This partial renationalisation of competition policy could involve higher costs for Member States.
The Parliament's role in competition policy must be strengthened.
It is an important instrument for future environmental policy.
Such policy should comprise various components.
International trade policy is clearly central to sustainable production.
This proposal means abandoning a policy that had proved successful.
Any debate on labour market policy also covers competition policy, trade policy, industrial policy, monetary policy and so on.
Water policy is therefore an important component in the European Community's environmental policy.

Alternatives:

guidelines
principles
protocol
procedure
approach

The term 'rule' is correct and commonly used in English.

"rule"

Use 'rule' to refer to a specific directive or regulation that must be followed.

Examples:

The school has a rule that students must wear uniforms.
One important rule of the game is no cheating.
There is a strict rule against smoking in the building.
The company implemented a new rule regarding overtime hours.
Breaking the rules can lead to serious consequences.

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Our marriage has always had one rule.
The same rule applies to gun ownership.
The Commission approved this traffic distribution rule in 2000.
The same rule should apply to air conditioning systems.
You violated my rule about forwarding email humor.
And rule number one is pants.
You have forgotten to name your suppression rule.
This rule applies to all cases.
Therefore the degressivity rule is deleted.
Anyway, nobody follows that rule.
The special rule applies therefore to pocketing fabric.
An explicit mapping rule for grid geometries.
I started a rule of first person perspective.
In Sweden, permanent employment is the rule.
I think this new rule complicates the discharge procedure.
The first rule of bureaucracy is self-preservation.
My son broke the golden rule.
Many airlines effectively enforce that rule.
And rule number three: Practice reflection.
Student council passed a rule against smoking in public spaces.

Alternatives:

regulation
directive
guideline
principle
standard

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policy vs rule

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