altering the law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "altering the law" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing changes or modifications to legal statutes or regulations. Example: "The committee is focused on altering the law to better protect the rights of citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It was essentially about altering the law of the land through threats, intimidation and force".

The Guardian

Mr. Dadey predicts that the fight over altering the law "will be a civil process".

The New York Times

Altering the law without proper public debate, he said, risked "building up unnecessary mistrust".

The Guardian

McDonnell acknowledges that he endorsed the product peddled by his donor, and afforded the business unusual access, but he says that he stopped short of altering the law or doling out public contracts.

The New Yorker

To address under-representation in the Commons and in public life, the government is already altering the law to allow political parties to use all-women shortlists for another five general elections, until 2030.

The Guardian

But even allies of the government conceded that there was little chance of substantially altering the law, which was instituted in 1993 to keep power out of the hands of certain groups, like the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Unlike the legislatures of many other countries, it is bound by no fundamental charter or constitution; but has itself the sole constitutional right of establishing and altering the laws and government of the empire".

Independent

This is an old rhetorical trick that the Bush White House has used in order to justify altering the laws governing our use of force against detained individuals in this war against the terrorists who hit us on 9/11.

Huffington Post

In "Death's End" spaceships encounter mysterious artifacts when they pass through a region of fourth-dimensional space, and we meet a killer super-civilization, which wages war by altering the laws of physics.

Los Angeles Times

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal reforms, use "altering the law" to emphasize the action of making changes, rather than the specific outcome. For instance, "The senator is focused on "altering the law" to address the issue of climate change".

Common error

Avoid using "altering the law" when the intention is to completely replace a law. Instead, consider using terms like "repealing the law" or "overturning the law" to accurately reflect the magnitude of the change.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "altering the law" is as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which validates its usage in contexts where changes to legal statutes are discussed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "altering the law" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the process of modifying existing legal statutes. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for discussing changes or adjustments to laws in various contexts. While other alternatives like "modifying the law" or "amending the law" exist, "altering the law" is commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and even in general discussions. The phrase carries a neutral tone and effectively conveys the action of making changes to the legal framework. Therefore, it's a solid option when precision and clarity are paramount in legal or policy-related writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amending legislation

Focuses specifically on the formal process of changing laws through legislative action.

revising legal statutes

Highlights a more comprehensive review and update of existing laws.

changing legislative policy

Emphasizes the shift in official government policy as reflected in laws.

modifying regulations

Refers to changing specific rules or guidelines within a legal framework.

adjusting legal frameworks

Suggests a fine-tuning or calibration of existing legal structures.

reworking statutory rules

Implies a detailed and careful modification of specific statutory rules.

reforming the legal system

Implies a broader, more systemic change to the overall legal structure.

recasting legal provisions

Suggests a reinterpretation and rewriting of specific legal provisions.

overhauling legal codes

Indicates a complete and thorough restructuring of legal codes.

transforming legal standards

Focuses on altering the benchmarks or criteria used in legal assessments.

FAQs

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

"Altering the law" is used to describe the process of making changes to existing legal statutes. For example, "The government is considering "altering the law" to better protect consumer rights".

What can I say instead of "altering the law"?

Alternatives to "altering the law" include "modifying the law", "amending the law", or "revising the law". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of change being discussed.

Which is correct, "altering the law" or "changing the law"?

Both "altering the law" and "changing the law" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Altering the law" often implies a more nuanced or specific adjustment, while "changing the law" can encompass broader reforms.

What's the difference between "altering the law" and "repealing the law"?

"Altering the law" refers to making modifications to an existing law, whereas "repealing the law" means completely revoking or abolishing a law. They represent different degrees of change within the legal system.