alter the law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter the law" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action of making changes to or replacing a law. For example, "The government voted to alter the law regarding healthcare coverage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The bill would not alter the law that states that the monarch must be a Protestant.

The Guardian

Yesterday, the Senate Transportation Committee approved his proposal to alter the law.

The New York Times

The pro-Kremlin party, United Russia, has well in excess of the two-thirds majority needed to alter the law.

The New Yorker

Dr. Johnson said once that manners make law, and that when manners alter, the law must, too.

The New Yorker

It would be a mistake to alter the law, he said, simply to deal with a small number of outlier products.

The New York Times

But the European Union is closing in on a ruling that could force Germany to alter the law underpinning the state's stake.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

We constantly search for answers, but we cannot alter the laws of thermodynamics.

The Guardian - Books

Just Wednesday, the Democratic-led Assembly passed its version of a bill to alter the laws, but the Senate prefers its own plan for change.

The New York Times

Boris will surely know Plato's views on the dangerous powers of music and its potential to influence character and alter the laws of state.

The Guardian - Music

In the cases of Modi and Trump, two recently empowered strongmen presiding over relatively robust democratic systems, the question is whether their populism and authoritarian instincts will allow them to alter the laws of democratic accountability.

The New Yorker

My colleague Amy Davidson considered the recent push to alter the laws of succession so that a firstborn daughter will enjoy the same status as her brothers to be a step in the right direction — but as a stab at progressivism, it's akin to an all-white country club admitting women.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal reforms or policy changes, use "alter the law" to convey a shift from the existing legal framework. For more impact, specify exactly what the alterations entail.

Common error

While "alter" suggests change, it doesn't guarantee betterment. Always clarify if the alteration aims for positive reform or merely represents a shift in policy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter the law" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause within a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes the action of making changes to an existing law.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alter the law" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing changes made to legal statutes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase conveys a neutral to professional tone, indicating formal discussions or reporting on legislative activities. When aiming for precision, consider related phrases such as ""amend the law"", "modify the law", or "revise the law" to better reflect the specific type of legal change being discussed. Avoid assuming "alter" always signifies improvement, and be clear about the intended outcome of the alteration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amend the law

Focuses on making specific changes or additions to the existing law.

modify the law

Suggests making alterations or adjustments to the law, possibly without fundamentally changing it.

change the law

A general term for making the law different, without specifying the method.

revise the law

Implies a more thorough review and rewriting of the law.

adjust the legislation

Emphasizes a slight modification or adaptation of legal statutes.

reform the law

Suggests making changes to improve or correct perceived faults in the law.

legislate changes to the law

Highlights the legislative process involved in making changes.

repeal the law

Indicates the complete removal or cancellation of a law.

overturn the law

Implies reversing the law through legal or judicial action.

transform the legal framework

Signifies a comprehensive and fundamental change to the entire legal system.

FAQs

How can I use "alter the law" in a sentence?

You can use "alter the law" when discussing modifications or changes to existing legal statutes. For example, "The government proposed a bill to "amend the law" regarding environmental regulations".

What's a more formal way to say "alter the law"?

A more formal way to express "alter the law" is to use terms like "revise the law" or "reform the law", which suggest a more thorough or systematic change.

What is the difference between ""amend the law"" and "alter the law"?

"Amend the law" usually refers to making specific changes or additions, whereas "alter the law" is a broader term encompassing any kind of modification or change, not necessarily improvements or corrections.

Is it correct to say "altering the law" or should I always say "alter the law"?

Both "altering the law" and "alter the law" are correct. "Altering the law" is the gerund form and is used as a verb in continuous tenses. "Alter the law" is the base form, often used in infinitive phrases or commands.