Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to start; to run; to activate; to inaugurate; to break into
firm
perceive
launch
assure
TOEIC test: Word games: Free Online Verb Noun Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Meaning of Unforceable



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Careful + of/about/with/on | Meaning of "little by way of"
Message Author
Meaning of Unforceable Wed Aug 16, 2006 9:31 am  Meaning of Unforceable
 

Hi

I met the word unforceable being used only for laws and security locks and still have rather vague general understanding of its meaning.
Could you define it for me?

un-force-able

Would the opposite be ‘enforceable’?
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Meaninmg Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:23 am  Meaninmg
 

Hi Tamara,

I don't think I've come across unforceable. The word I know is unenforceable, which, when referring to laws or contracts, means cannot be carried through or put into practice.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story The Name of the Game
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 7730
Location: UK

How do you use the English Prepositions correctly?English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Read these English anecdotes and maybe smile today? Subscribe to free email English course
Unforceable! Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:45 am  Unforceable!
 

Hi Alan

I met unforceable - exactly.
In particular, you can find in "The Million Dollar Bond Robbery" by Cristie Smile where it is used by a pure Brit in regards to a Hubbs lock.

(Unfortunately, another my example (for a law) is not accesible in public writing Sad )

Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Meaning of Unforceable Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:04 pm  Meaning of Unforceable
 

Hi Tamara

The word unforceable in connection with a lock is logical. It would mean the lock can't be opened by force.

In connection with law, could the word unforceable have been simply a typo? In other words, was the word enforceable possibly intended?

By the way, are you familiar with the other spelling? (un)forcible Wink

Amy
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

Meaning of Unforceable Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:16 pm  Meaning of Unforceable
 

Hi Amy

unforcible? No, I’ve never heard or read the word…

Now my dictionary gave me the meaning of 'forcible'… yes… maybe, you’re right. It’s still difficult for me to deal with (possible) typos in the language I don’t know well enough…

Google formally has 'admitted' unforceable law… and even gave 'to enforce an unforceable law'…

So... I don’t know…
Will try to find, think and understand a bit more about that.

Thank you for your response!
Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Meaning of Unforceable Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:31 pm  Meaning of Unforceable
 

Hi Tamara

I also checked Ms Google for "unforceable law", but there were only 17 results. Laughing And the results looked more like typos to me than "intended spelling".

Amy
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

Typo... Wed Aug 16, 2006 13:29 pm  Typo...
 

Amy,
now I’ve managed to find (among 733 links given for unforceable Smile) the context that is of (at?) similar level of technicality and formality as the text I had been (and still am) interested to decode Smile
and where ‘unforceable’ was first wrongly used for policy

http://lwn.net/Articles/60786/
After the note "Typo: Unforceable should be Unenforceable." it has been corrected.

Alan and you - both - are right. Concerning policy/laws and a typo.

OK.
Thank you.
Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Display posts from previous:   
Careful + of/about/with/on | Meaning of "little by way of"
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Meaning of Unforceable All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
What does the prefix 'inter-' mean?What does "net result" mean? And what is "nett"?Difference between secretary and secretariatImperative affirmative sentenceWho know who is who?Gerund or infinitive?Phrase: Although we may pride ourselves a great dealWhat were his meticulous/exact/accurate/correct words?Could she be more out of my league?BC 1000 or 1000 bc or bc 1000 or 1000 b.c. or b.c. 1000Insane versus IdiotQuote: Zeal and sincerity can carry a new religion furtherQuote: Why is it that we rejoice...Problem versus MatterUsing Gerunds instead of Infinitives-Ing: The subject of 'labelling' is 'he' or 'factory'?Ing-forms (labelling)Past participle or AdjectiveMeaning of Unforceable

Discover English-test.net
Hi, everybodyCan we say 'the routine can be killed'?Do you understand different UK and US accents?meaning of pro-environmentHow to make a great lesson plan for pre-schoolers?TOEIC verbal word list: Vocabulary Sentences: Example of AdjectivesTOEIC prep test: Word games free: Online Adjective GameMeaning of suspect, responsive, generous, outstanding, previous, adult, extraordinaryLearn English Program: Pimsleur English for Russian SpeakersFree EFL Quiz Online: Money Matters (4)Verbs exercises: Australiana: expressions that describe life in AustraliaBarrister audio books, CDs, tapes, used cassettes, audio download

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail