Grammar fix
crack down on
take strict action against
to start dealing with something or someone much more strictly, often to stop bad behavior or illegal activity.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The school decided to crack down on cheating after several students were caught using their phones during exams.
In my opinion, the government should crack down on companies that pollute the environment, because stricter rules would help protect our health.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The government is cracking down speeding.
Say: The government is cracking down on speeding.
Always 'crack down ON' something.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Enforce stricter measures against' is officialese; 'crack down on' is the everyday news verb.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
crack down on
- crime
- speeding
- fraud
- illegal parking