Grammar fix
clamp down on
take strict action against
To start dealing with something much more strictly, especially to stop bad or illegal behaviour such as crime, cheating or protests.
phrasal verbB2common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The school decided to clamp down on cheating after several students were caught.
In my opinion, the government should clamp down on companies that pollute the environment to protect public health.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: They clamped down speeding.
Say: They clamped down on speeding.
'Clamp down ON something'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Implement stringent enforcement measures against' is press-release-formal; 'clamp down on' is natural.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
clamp down on
- on
- crime
- speeding
- hard