apply to the case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apply to the case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how certain rules, principles, or laws are relevant or relevant to a specific situation or scenario. Example: "The legal principles we discussed earlier do not apply to the case at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

How might this term apply to the case of Chernobyl?

The New York Times

"Forgiveness does not apply to the case," he tells her coolly, before abandoning her.

The Guardian - Books

And Mr Bernanke's logic should also apply to the case of currency depreciation and capital outflows.

The Economist

What does the expression "old boys" mean, and how might it apply to the case of Martha Stewart? i.

The New York Times

It offers a 45-page analysis of one issue -- how antitrust law on product "tying" should apply to the case.

The New York Times

The ruling was deeply unconvincing in suggesting, however, that this did not apply to the case before it.

The New York Times

But last November, Judge David Sam of Federal District Court dismissed the last charges, concluding that federal bribery statutes did not apply to the case.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Cohen recounted telling Mr. Loving about various legal theories applying to the case.

The New York Times

"Whatever legal regime one applies to the case, shooting someone who is no longer a threat is murder," he added.

The Guardian

That applies to the case of terrorism too.

SEP

The definition is then applied to the case of Denmark.

Land Use Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "apply to the case", ensure the context clearly establishes what rule, principle, or law is being applied. This provides clarity and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "apply to the case" in situations where the connection is vague or unsubstantiated. Ensure there's a specific and logical reason why the rule or principle is relevant, rather than making a broad, unsupported claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apply to the case" functions as a predicate indicating relevance or applicability. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase often appears in legal, scientific, and journalistic contexts, indicating that a rule, principle, or law is being considered in relation to a specific situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "apply to the case" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that a rule, principle, or law is relevant to a specific situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in legal, scientific, and journalistic contexts. While alternatives like "pertain to the matter" or "be relevant to the situation" exist, understanding the nuance of "apply to the case" ensures its effective use. Remember to provide specific context and avoid overgeneralization for clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be relevant to the situation

Replaces "apply" with "be relevant" and "case" with "situation", focusing on the relevance aspect.

pertain to the matter

Substitutes "apply" with "pertain" and "case" with "matter", emphasizing the direct connection or relevance.

be applicable to the scenario

Uses "be applicable" instead of "apply", and "scenario" instead of "case", highlighting the possibility of being applied.

hold true for the instance

Replaces the entire phrase with a focus on the truth or validity in a specific instance.

be germane to the circumstances

Substitutes "apply" with "be germane" emphasizing relevance, and "case" with "circumstances", which focuses on the surrounding facts.

have bearing on the situation

Focuses on the influence or impact the subject has on the situation, rather than direct applicability.

be pertinent to the issue

Uses "be pertinent" instead of "apply", and "issue" instead of "case", stressing the importance and relevance of the subject.

relate to the subject

Emphasizes the relationship between the subject and the case, rather than the application.

affect the circumstances

Shifts focus to the influence on the circumstances, suggesting the subject can change or impact them.

have implications for the situation

Highlights the potential consequences or effects on the situation, rather than direct relevance.

FAQs

How can I use "apply to the case" in a sentence?

Use "apply to the case" to indicate that a rule, principle, or law is relevant or applicable to a specific situation. For instance, "The judge determined that the new evidence did not "apply to the case"."

What are some alternatives to saying "apply to the case"?

Alternatives include "pertain to the matter", "be relevant to the situation", or "be applicable to the scenario". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "apply to the case" or "applies to the case"?

"Apply to the case" is generally used when referring to a general concept or rule. "Applies to the case" is used when referring to a specific instance where something is being directly applied. For example, "This rule does not "apply to the case"," versus "This rule "applies to the case" because...".

What's the difference between "apply to the case" and "relevant to the case"?

"Apply to the case" suggests a more direct action of bringing a rule or principle to bear on a situation, whereas "relevant to the case" simply indicates that something is related or important to the situation. The former implies a specific application, the latter a general connection.