at rights

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at rights" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect in most contexts.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something is in a state of correctness or fairness. Example: "The dispute was finally resolved, and both parties were at rights with each other."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

For clarity, I narrowed the complexity to look at rights offered statewide.

The Guardian

The Oxford political philosopher Henry Shue observed that our typical way of looking at rights is incomplete.

The New Yorker

16 Terror Focus at Rights Meeting Terror is at the top of the agenda at the annual United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

The New York Times

PwC also looked at rights issues conducted by the bank in 2008, which are the subject of legal action by some shareholders who are concerned they were misled by the bank.

The Guardian - Business

Duterte has also taken aim at rights groups, and vowed to continue his bloody anti-drug campaign until 2022.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

At right, the kitchen.

The New Yorker

At right is the striker.

The New York Times

Kolo Touré found himself at right-back.

Independent

Colorado got hot at right time.

The New York Times - Sports

(See the top photo at right).

The New York Times

(See the headline graph at right.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and grammatically accepted alternatives such as "in the right" or "within one's rights" for clarity and wider acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "at rights" in formal or academic writing. It might be misinterpreted or seen as incorrect. Stick to established phrases to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at rights" functions as a prepositional phrase, though its usage is limited. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect in most contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at rights" is an uncommon expression that aims to convey a state of correctness or legality. However, it is generally considered grammatically questionable and is not widely used in contemporary English. Ludwig AI analysis suggests it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing, opting instead for clearer alternatives such as "in the right" or "within one's rights". While examples from news and media sources exist, these instances do not establish the phrase as standard usage. Therefore, for effective communication, it's advisable to choose more common and accepted phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the right

Emphasizes moral or legal correctness of a party or action.

within one's rights

Highlights the legal entitlement to perform an action.

in accordance with the law

Stresses adherence to legal standards and regulations.

lawfully entitled

Indicates a legal entitlement to something.

justified

Focuses on the legitimacy and fairness of a decision or action.

vindicated

Suggests being proven correct after doubt or accusation.

in compliance

Highlights adherence to rules, regulations, or standards.

in agreement

Emphasizes the state of being in accordance or harmony.

fair and square

Highlights the honesty and legitimacy of a situation or outcome.

legally sound

Indicates that something is legally valid and well-founded.

FAQs

What does the phrase "at rights" mean?

The phrase "at rights" is not commonly used in modern English. It may be intended to convey a state of being correct or in accordance with the law. Consider using alternatives like "in the right" or "within one's rights" for better clarity.

Is "at rights" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "at rights" appears in some older texts, it is not generally considered grammatically correct in contemporary English. More accepted alternatives are "in the right" or "legally entitled".

What can I say instead of "at rights"?

You can use alternatives such as "in the right", "justified", or "in accordance with the law" depending on the context you want to convey. These options are more widely understood and accepted.

Where might I encounter the phrase "at rights"?

Given its uncommon usage, you're not likely to encounter "at rights" frequently. If you do, it might be in legal or historical contexts. For contemporary writing, using more standard alternatives will improve clarity.