acknowledge lawlessness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acknowledge lawlessness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the recognition or acceptance of unlawful behavior or situations where laws are not being followed. Example: "In his speech, the mayor chose to acknowledge lawlessness in the community and called for immediate action to restore order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Despite the feuds that continued to rage in the state, including one that lasted several years in Rowan County, Knott refused to acknowledge lawlessness as a problem.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In their internal briefings, the Marines acknowledge widespread lawlessness stemming from conflicts among corrupt officials, tribal leaders and drug gangs.

The New York Times

He acknowledged a problem of lawlessness on the country's highways, which has made it difficult to deliver aid and to import goods.

The New York Times

Acknowledge, acknowledge!

The New Yorker

In the latest evidence of lawlessness, Libyan officials acknowledged over the weekend that a local militia whose members have held captive one of Colonel Qaddafi's sons, Seif el-Islam, in the city of Zintan had also detained four staff members of the International Criminal Court without further explanation.

The New York Times

It leveled with Americans by acknowledging that a border fence would never end lawlessness by itself.

The New York Times

Mr. Fox has acknowledged that he cannot credibly campaign for a safer northern border unless Mexico addresses the widespread lawlessness in the south.

The New York Times

In his opening statement, Mr. Wolfowitz acknowledged that security, especially in Baghdad, was still a problem, but he said that media reports of looting, lawlessness and violence in the Iraqi capital overlooked improving conditions there and in other Iraqi cities.

The New York Times

The lawlessness.

The New York Times

Lawlessness has declined.

The Economist

"This is not lawlessness.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acknowledge lawlessness", consider the specific context. It is best suited for situations where there's a deliberate turning a blind eye to unlawful behavior, rather than a simple absence of law.

Common error

Avoid using "acknowledge lawlessness" in formal legal documents, as more precise legal terms like 'breach of law', 'violation of regulations', or 'criminal activity' are typically preferred for clarity and specificity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acknowledge lawlessness" functions as a verb phrase where 'acknowledge' acts as a transitive verb taking 'lawlessness' as its direct object. It describes the act of recognizing or admitting the existence of widespread illegal activity or a lack of legal order as Ludwig AI underlines.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "acknowledge lawlessness" is grammatically correct but relatively rare. According to Ludwig AI, it is most commonly used in news and media contexts to describe the recognition or admission of widespread illegal activity. While grammatically sound, consider the specific context and audience when using this phrase. Alternatives like "recognize disorder" or "admit illegality" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Remember that, while this expression is ok, more precise legal terms are typically preferred for clarity and specificity in formal legal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Recognize the absence of law

Emphasizes the lack of legal structure, rather than the acknowledgment of its violation.

Admit the presence of disorder

Uses 'disorder' instead of 'lawlessness', focusing on the disruption rather than the illegality.

Recognize the problem of illegality

Uses a more formal term 'illegality', emphasizing the legal aspect of the issue.

Confront the breakdown of order

Highlights the active response to lawlessness, implying a need for action.

Admit to a lack of legal control

Focuses on the absence of control, rather than the acknowledgement of lawlessness itself.

Address the absence of rule of law

Emphasizes the systemic absence of legal principles.

Address the state of anarchy

Replaces 'lawlessness' with 'anarchy', suggesting a complete absence of governance.

Confront widespread criminality

Highlights the pervasiveness of criminal activity.

Acknowledge the rise in crime

Focuses specifically on criminal activity, a subset of general lawlessness.

Recognize the surge in unlawful acts

Specifically acknowledges an increase in illegal actions.

FAQs

How can I use "acknowledge lawlessness" in a sentence?

You can use "acknowledge lawlessness" when you want to express the act of recognizing or admitting that illegal activities or a state of disregard for laws exists. For example: "The government must "acknowledge lawlessness" within its borders and take steps to address it".

What are some alternatives to "acknowledge lawlessness"?

Some alternatives to "acknowledge lawlessness" include "recognize disorder", "admit illegality", or "confront anarchy". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "acknowledge lawlessness" or "recognize the absence of law"?

While both phrases are valid, "acknowledge lawlessness" is more direct in addressing the active disregard for laws. "Recognize the absence of law" is more about the mere lack of a legal framework. Therefore, "acknowledge lawlessness" is a more adequate expression when talking about an organized criminal activity.

In what context is it most appropriate to use "acknowledge lawlessness"?

It's most appropriate when discussing situations where authorities or individuals are aware of illegal activities or a lack of legal order, but may be reluctant to openly admit or address the issue. It can also be used when the act of recognition is the first step toward dealing with a situation. For example: Before the reconstruction can start, they need to "acknowledge lawlessness" and the rampant impunity.