acts of congress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acts of congress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to legislation that has been passed by the United States Congress. Example: "The new regulations were established through various acts of Congress aimed at improving environmental protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Made in obedience to acts of Congress and orders from The Headquarters of the Corps of Engineers, War Department".

Yale University

Treaties Versus Prior Acts of Congress.

Cornell University

Also, that states can nullify Acts of Congress.

The New York Times

10, provided for direct appeals to Supreme Court from decisions invalidating Acts of Congress.

Cornell University

It has been continued in existence by Acts of Congress, 49 Stat.

Cornell University

In the Virginia Plan, the executive would have a qualified veto over acts of Congress.

Yale University

This language is applicable to the acts of Congress in the case at bar.

Cornell University

It was enabled by, and can be reversed by, acts of Congress.

The New York Times

This would need no new inventions and no Acts of Congress.

The New Yorker

Between 1962 and 1969, the Warren Court struck down seventeen acts of Congress.

The New Yorker

Unlike acts of Congress, treaties reorient the balance of power toward the president.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing specific legislation, cite the official name and U.S. Code reference for the "acts of congress" to ensure accuracy and allow easy verification.

Common error

Avoid using "act of Congress" to describe a proposed law that has not yet been passed. Instead, refer to it as a 'bill' until it is officially enacted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acts of congress" is as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig highlights how it refers to specific pieces of legislation enacted by the United States Congress. Examples show how it's used to discuss the validity, impact, or interpretation of laws.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

48%

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "acts of congress" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to laws passed by the U.S. Congress. As highlighted by Ludwig, the term is predominantly found in academic and news media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "congressional statutes" and "federal laws" exist, "acts of congress" is the most direct and widely recognized term for this specific category of legislation. Pay close attention to usage tips in order to avoid confusing enacted legislation with pending bills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Congressional statutes

Replaces "acts" with "statutes", focusing on the formal written laws.

Legislative enactments

Emphasizes the process of making the laws effective.

Congressional legislation

Uses legislation as a broader term for laws passed by Congress.

Laws passed by Congress

More descriptive and less formal, emphasizing the action of passing laws.

Federal statutes

Highlights that these laws are at the federal level.

Congressional measures

Uses "measures" as a general term for legislative actions.

Federal laws

Broadly refers to laws enacted at the federal level.

Congressional decrees

Implies a more authoritative and decisive form of legislation.

Legislative acts

General term for laws enacted through the legislative process.

Statutes enacted by Congress

Highlights the legislative body responsible for enacting the statutes.

FAQs

How can I use "acts of congress" in a sentence?

You can use "acts of congress" to refer to laws that have been passed by the legislative branch. For example, "The Supreme Court has the power to review "acts of congress" and invalidate those that conflict with the Constitution."

What's the difference between "acts of congress" and "congressional legislation"?

"Acts of congress" specifically refers to individual laws passed by Congress, while "congressional legislation" is a broader term that encompasses all legislative actions, including bills and resolutions, whether or not they become law. Therefore, "acts of congress" are a subset of congressional legislation.

Are "federal laws" and "acts of congress" the same?

While similar, "federal laws" is a more general term that includes regulations and executive orders, in addition to "acts of congress" (which are specifically laws passed by the legislative branch). Not all federal laws originate as acts of congress.

What are some examples of landmark "acts of congress"?

Examples include the Social Security Act, the Civil Rights Act, and the Affordable Care Act. These "acts of congress" have had significant impacts on American society.