a simple law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a simple law" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a law that is straightforward or easy to understand. Example: "In our discussion about environmental regulations, we often refer to a simple law that states that pollution must be minimized to protect public health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Regular reflection, which follows a simple law, occurs at plane boundaries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For future elections, states should pass a simple law to address such uncertain outcomes.

The New York Times

Ten years ago, their school system was in a familiar mess, and they passed a simple law to try to solve it.

Independent

In the case of female bishops, virtually all liberals in the Church want a simple law that confirms the unqualified diocesan authority of all bishops, regardless of sex.

The New Yorker

If that were true, Congress would not be having so much trouble passing a simple law to smooth out a serious kink in the legal immigration pipeline.

The New York Times

At the top end of the global market in legal education, a simple law degree no longer seems enough for many students.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Nothing suggests the government will accept it faces a political crisis rather than a simple law-and-order problem.

The Economist

The Lennons' deportation case may be some sort of wildly inefficient political persecution, or it may be a simple law-enforcement case or just a routine bureaucratic nightmare.

The New Yorker

The administration has proposed replacing the entire enforcement apparatus of the Clean Air Act, including new source review, with what it says is a simpler law.

The New York Times

The idea would be that there is only a single, simple law of the motions of material bodies, both in free space and in the presence of gravitational fields.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A similarly simple law controls the crystal thickness during the continuous structure reorganization on heating.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or regulatory frameworks, use "a simple law" to emphasize clarity and ease of understanding. This is particularly effective in contexts where you want to contrast it with more complex or convoluted regulations.

Common error

Avoid using "a simple law" when the legal principle is actually complex or has numerous exceptions. Misrepresenting a law as simple can lead to misunderstandings and misapplications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a simple law" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'simple' modifies the noun 'law'. It describes the characteristic of the law being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a simple law" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a legal principle or regulation that is easy to understand and apply. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and wide usability. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts, conveying clarity and straightforwardness. While suitable for general discussions, avoid using it for complex laws with numerous exceptions, as this can be misleading. Alternatives include "a basic rule" or "a straightforward regulation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic rule

Replaces 'law' with 'rule', suggesting a less formal regulation or principle.

a straightforward regulation

Substitutes 'simple' with 'straightforward' and 'law' with 'regulation', emphasizing clarity and governance.

a clear statute

Replaces 'simple' with 'clear' and 'law' with 'statute', giving a more formal tone related to legislation.

an uncomplicated legal principle

Uses 'uncomplicated' instead of 'simple' and 'legal principle' for 'law', making it more descriptive.

an elementary legislation

Employs 'elementary' and 'legislation' to denote a fundamental legal enactment.

a concise ordinance

Replaces 'simple' with 'concise' and 'law' with 'ordinance', implying brevity and local jurisdiction.

a plain legal provision

Uses 'plain' to convey simplicity and 'legal provision' for a specific clause in law.

an accessible regulation

Substitutes 'simple' with 'accessible', highlighting ease of understanding and application in regulations.

a user-friendly guideline

Replaces 'law' with 'guideline', making it less binding and more advisory.

a manageable directive

Substitutes 'simple' with 'manageable' and 'law' with 'directive', focusing on ease of implementation and control.

FAQs

How can I use "a simple law" in a sentence?

Use "a simple law" to describe a legal principle that is easy to understand and apply. For example, "The company implemented "a simple law" requiring all employees to attend annual safety training".

What are some alternatives to "a simple law"?

You can use alternatives such as "a basic rule", "a straightforward regulation", or "a clear statute" depending on the context.

Is it better to describe a legal principle as "a simple law" or "a clear law"?

While both "a simple law" and "a clear law" suggest ease of understanding, ""a simple law"" emphasizes the lack of complexity, whereas "a clear law" highlights its unambiguous nature. The best choice depends on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

In what situations is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a simple law"?

Avoid using "a simple law" when discussing legal principles that have numerous exceptions, intricate details, or are subject to interpretation. Using it in such contexts can be misleading.