acquis

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'acquis' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun which means a body of principles, rules, and standards accepted as axiomatic and not subject to further examination or debate. For example, "The new organization adopted the EU's acquis to ensure compliance with the law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

And then there is the time-consuming task of adopting the whole body of current EU law the acquis communautaire.Furthermore, the oft-proclaimed benefits of enlargement reunification, stability, prosperity are not as straightforward as they appear.

The Economist

It is not enough for all of them to pass the 80,000 pages of laws and regulations known as the acquis communautaire.

The Economist

Even if they consider parts of the acquis communautaire silly or inappropriate for them, many Central and East Europeans like the idea of rules imposed from Brussels to force the new members to maintain open government and a competitive business environment.

The Economist

After an entire year's work, Lithuania, another would-be member, has translated a mere 4,000 pages of the acquis communautaire, the body of EU law.

The Economist

If new members resile from commitments that are not part of the legal acquis, there is no obvious remedy.

The Economist

But often one side or the other will seek a temporary modification of the acquis, a "transition period".

The Economist

The acquis communautaire, the existing body of EU law, is chopped up into 31 different chapters, covering everything from agriculture to the environment and the free movement of labour.

The Economist

A week later Cyprus joined the EU, with the acquis communautaire suspended in the north.When Turkey opened its membership talks with the EU in 2005, Cyprus promptly became a big issue.

The Economist

As a consequence the (Greek-Cypriot) republic joined the EU as the legitimate government with the acquis communautaire of EU legislation, suspended for the (Turkish-Cypriot) north.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The bride, 30, is a project manager for the Acquis Consulting Group, a company in New York that specializes in developing and implementing growth strategies for clients.

The New York Times

Mr Chirac lacked the stomach to fight French conservatism, which is centred on conserving the social acquis.France's theoretical acceptance of free markets is much shallower than its dedication to the state.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. "Acquis" is a specialized term. If your audience is unfamiliar with EU law, provide a brief explanation or use alternative phrases like "body of EU law".

Common error

Don't assume "acquis" refers to any general collection of laws. It specifically denotes the accumulated legislation, legal acts, and court decisions of the EU (or similar international communities).

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acquis" is that of a noun, often functioning as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it defines a body of principles, rules, and standards accepted as axiomatic. As seen in the examples from Ludwig, it often refers to the total body of EU law.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquis" functions as a noun that represents a consolidated set of laws, typically referring to the EU's legal framework. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in formal writing. While examples from Ludwig show it appears frequently in news and business contexts, remember to consider your audience and potentially provide a definition if they are unfamiliar with this specialized term. Using related phrases like "body of law" can sometimes be more appropriate, depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

body of law

Focuses on the legal aspect, emphasizing the collection of laws.

accumulated rights

Highlights the rights and privileges that have been accumulated over time.

vested rights

Emphasizes rights that are secured and protected.

established principles

Focuses on the fundamental principles that are well-established.

existing legislation

Highlights the current laws and statutes in place.

body of knowledge

Refers to the collective understanding and expertise in a particular field.

accrued benefits

Highlights the benefits that have accumulated or been earned.

settled practices

Emphasizes practices and customs that are well-established and accepted.

existing standards

Focuses on the standards that are currently in use or enforced.

legacy

Refers to something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.

FAQs

How is the term "acquis" typically used in legal contexts?

The term "acquis" is commonly used to refer to the accumulated legislation, legal acts, and court decisions that constitute the total body of EU law. It is often used when discussing the adoption or implementation of EU laws in member states or candidate countries.

What's the difference between "acquis communautaire" and "body of EU law"?

"Acquis communautaire" is the specific term for the accumulated EU law, while "body of EU law" is a more general term that can be used interchangeably but may lack the same level of precision. "Acquis communautaire" implies the entire collection of laws, acts, and decisions, particularly when referring to candidate countries adopting these laws.

What are some alternative phrases I can use instead of "acquis" in broader contexts?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "body of law", "accumulated rights", or "established principles". Each of these alternatives has a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your specific meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "acquis" when discussing international law outside of the EU?

While "acquis" is most commonly associated with EU law, it can also be used to describe the accumulated legislation and decisions of other international communities. However, ensure that the context is clear to avoid confusion, especially if the audience is unfamiliar with the term.