be in violation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be in violation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where someone or something is not complying with a rule, law, or agreement. Example: "The company was found to be in violation of environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They won't be in violation of any provision of law".

The New York Times

It's going to be in violation of the law.

The Washington Post

About 1 percent of those reviewed were found to be in violation.

The New York Times

If it isn't, then they would be in violation of the law.

The New York Times

"Responsible meat consumption need not be in violation of ecological principles," she told them.

The New York Times

The attorney general's office is actively investigating companies that may be in violation.

The Guardian

Surely that cannot be in violation of any traditions or beliefs worth keeping.

The New York Times

How might blocking the broadcast of a show be in violation of the First Amendment?

The New York Times

As a result, Hodge would be in violation of the state's eight-semester eligibility rule.

The New York Times - Sports

If it did, virtually every president in the last century or more would be in violation.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You are in violation of international conservation regulations".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "breach" or "noncompliant" for variety and to suit the tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "in violation" without specifying what it violates. Always provide the specific rule, law, or agreement to maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in violation" functions as a predicative expression, indicating a state of non-compliance or contravention of a rule, law, or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable. Examples show its use in various contexts, from legal to ethical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

18%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be in violation" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate non-compliance with rules, laws, or agreements. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for use across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and legal settings. While "violate" offers a more direct alternative, "be in violation" provides a slightly more formal tone. Remember to always specify the rule or law being violated for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not comply with standards

Highlights failure to adhere to standards instead of breaking a formal agreement.

breach a regulation

Emphasizes the act of breaking a specific regulation, instead of a general state.

contravene a rule

Focuses on the direct contradiction of a rule, differing from a state of being.

fall foul of legislation

This is a more formal and idiomatic way of saying violating legislation.

run afoul of the law

Similar to 'fall foul of', it suggests an unintentional but problematic clash with the law.

infringe upon a law

Highlights the encroachment or undermining of a law, rather than simple non-compliance.

transgress an agreement

Specifically refers to the act of overstepping the boundaries of an agreement.

act against guidelines

Focuses on acting in opposition to established guidelines, versus passively violating them.

disobey an order

Implies a direct refusal to follow a command, different from indirectly violating something.

defy the terms

Stresses a deliberate challenge to the terms of something, rather than unintentional violation.

FAQs

How can I use "be in violation" in a sentence?

You can use "be in violation" to indicate a failure to comply with a rule, law, or agreement. For instance, "The company was found to "be in violation" of environmental regulations".

What are some alternatives to "be in violation"?

Some alternatives include "breach a regulation", "contravene a rule", or "not comply with standards" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be in violation of" or "violate"?

Both phrases are correct, but "violate" is more direct and concise. "The company violated environmental regulations" is a more straightforward way of saying "The company was in violation of environmental regulations".

What does it mean to "be in violation of the Eighth Amendment"?

To ""be in violation" of the Eighth Amendment" means that a punishment is considered cruel and unusual, thus violating the U.S. Constitution's prohibition against such punishments.