apply the law

USAGE SUMMARY

"apply the law" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone should follow or enforce the law. For example, "The court ordered the police department to apply the law in a fair and impartial manner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have to apply the law".

The New York Times

We will apply the law robustly".

The Guardian - Opinion

I've been asked to apply the law.

The New York Times - Magazine

They also think judges should apply the law impartially.

The Economist

It is to apply the law," she said.

The Economist

And so it's my job to apply the law.

The Economist

We apply the law and are committed to it".

The New York Times

How prosecutors apply the law varies from county to county.

The New York Times

They hear the evidence, then apply the law.

The Guardian

It is to apply the law," Sotomayor said.

The Washington Post

There comes a time when we have to apply the law".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal responsibilities, use "apply the law" to emphasize the impartial and consistent enforcement of regulations. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity about the process.

Common error

Avoid suggesting that "apply the law" implies absolute rigidity. While the phrase emphasizes consistent enforcement, legal application often involves interpreting context and exercising informed discretion, which prevents mechanical or unjust outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apply the law" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of implementing or enforcing legal statutes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Many Ludwig examples show it used in judicial and governmental contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apply the law" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that signifies the enforcement and implementation of legal statutes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent appearance in varied contexts, including News & Media and Science. When writing, remember that "apply the law" emphasizes consistent enforcement but allows for contextual interpretation. Alternatives like "enforce the law" or "implement the law" can be used depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey. Being familiar with its usage patterns and potential errors helps ensure clear and effective communication in legal and general discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enforce the law

Focuses on the active enforcement and implementation of legal statutes.

implement the law

Emphasizes the practical application and execution of legal regulations.

administer the law

Highlights the management and oversight involved in the application of legal rules.

execute the law

Stresses the carrying out and enforcement aspects of legal decrees.

uphold the law

Signifies the act of maintaining and supporting the principles of legal justice.

adhere to the law

Implies compliance and conformity with legal requirements.

abide by the law

Suggests following and respecting legal regulations and guidelines.

observe the law

Indicates a mindful and dutiful compliance with legal precepts.

enact the law

Focuses on the process of creating and establishing legal statutes.

legislate the law

Emphasizes the legislative authority to formulate legal regulations.

FAQs

How to use "apply the law" in a sentence?

You can use "apply the law" to describe the action of enforcing or implementing legal regulations. For example, "The judge must fairly "apply the law" in all cases."

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

Alternatives include "enforce the law", "implement the law", or "administer the law", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "apply the law" or "applied the law"?

Both are correct, but ""apply the law"" is the infinitive form, while "applied the law" is the past tense. Use the form that fits the tense and context of your sentence.

What's the difference between "apply the law" and "interpret the law"?

"Apply the law" means to enforce or implement existing legal regulations. "Interpret the law" means to explain or clarify the meaning of a law, often in ambiguous situations. One comes before the other, needing interpretation before it can be applied.