adopt a law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adopt a law" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the idea that a legislation has been approved and enacted, usually by a governing body. For example, "The city council voted to adopt a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol after midnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Mr. Yanukovich said he was "ready to adopt a law on the internal gas market".

The New York Times

If they did adopt a law against domestic violence, things would change," she said.

The Guardian

The settlement also required the county to adopt a law banning landlords from discriminating against subsidized tenants.

Independent

Two years ago, New Zealand became the first nation to adopt a law guaranteeing rights to great apes.

The New York Times

German members of the European Parliament have led calls for the EU to adopt a law similar to Germany's own statute banning Nazi symbols.

The Economist

"You can also adopt a law against turning off the light of the sun, but no one has the ability to do this," Mr. Kochetkov said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Things got worse this month, when Russia adopted a law that makes the adoption of Russian children illegal for same-sex couples, domestically or abroad.

The Guardian - Opinion

Late last year, the government adopted a law barring cloning for reproduction.

The New York Times

The village then adopted a law requiring a livestock permit for farm animals.

The New York Times

A week before the summit meeting, Malaysia finally adopted a law tightening control over the sale of nuclear-related materials.

The New York Times

NYC recently adopted a law which will ban the spraying of fire-proofing materials containing asbestos on… DEPT.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a specific instance of a law being enacted, clarify which governing body or entity is "adopting a law" to provide context.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "adopt a law" (meaning to enact or pass a law) with "adapt to a law" (meaning to adjust or conform to an existing law). The former refers to creating the law, while the latter refers to following it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adopt a law" is as a verb phrase indicating the action of formally approving and enacting a law. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's often used to describe legislative processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adopt a law" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the formal approval and enactment of legislation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to communicate the implementation of new legal rules. While synonyms like "enact a law" and "pass a law" exist, it's crucial to distinguish "adopt" from "adapt" to avoid confusion. Remember to clarify which governing body is undertaking the action to add necessary context. Overall, "adopt a law" is a straightforward and widely understood phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enact a law

This alternative implies a more formal and official process of making a law.

pass a law

This suggests the successful completion of the legislative process.

legislate a law

This alternative focuses on the legislative action of creating a law.

establish a law

This emphasizes the creation and implementation of a new legal standard.

implement a law

This highlights the action of putting a law into effect and ensuring its enforcement.

approve a law

This suggests that a law has received consent and is now officially sanctioned.

ratify a law

This implies a formal approval, often by a higher authority or through a specific procedure.

decree a law

This suggests a law is being made by a single person or a small group with authority.

ordain a law

This implies a more formal or even religious connotation of establishing a law.

institute a law

This emphasizes the setting up or initiation of a new law or legal practice.

FAQs

What does it mean to "adopt a law"?

To "adopt a law" means to formally approve and enact a new law or legislation, typically by a governing body like a parliament or congress.

What is a synonym for "adopt a law"?

Alternatives to "adopt a law" include "enact a law", "pass a law", or "legislate a law". These all describe the process of making a law official.

How is "adopt a law" different from "enforce a law"?

"Adopt a law" refers to the creation and approval of a new law, while "enforce a law" means to ensure that an existing law is followed and that violations are addressed.

Is it correct to say "the government adopted to the new law"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct phrase would be "the government adapted to the new law" or "the government adopted the new law". "Adopt" means to formally approve a law, while "adapt" means to adjust to it.