be in violation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be in violation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that someone is breaking a law, rule, or regulation. Example: "The company was found to be in violation of environmental regulations and faced significant fines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 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

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

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

"It's so unrelated," he said, "as to be in violation" of the special counsel's mandate.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

You are in violation of international conservation regulations".

The New Yorker

"They certainly were in violation of it this morning".

The New York Times

Russia is in violation of the sovereignty of Ukraine.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be in violation of", ensure you specify the exact law, rule, or agreement that is being broken for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "be in violation of" without specifying what is being violated. For example, instead of saying "The company is in violation", specify "The company is in violation of environmental regulations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in violation of" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of something or someone not adhering to a particular law, rule, or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

22%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be in violation of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate non-compliance with a rule, law, or agreement. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently encountered in news, academic, and formal contexts. While perfectly acceptable, it can sometimes be replaced with synonyms like "contravene" or "infringe upon" depending on the context. When using this phrase, it is important to specify what is being violated to ensure clarity and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in contravention of

A more formal synonym, directly replacing "violation" with "contravention".

contravene

This is a more concise, formal verb meaning to go against a law or rule.

breach

Focuses on breaking a contract or agreement.

infringe upon

Implies stepping over established boundaries or rights.

act in defiance of

This emphasizes the intentional act of violating a rule or law.

transgress

Suggests a moral or religious violation, as well as legal.

disobey

A general term for not following orders or rules.

run afoul of

Means to come into conflict with a law or regulation, often unintentionally.

defy

Suggests open resistance or disobedience to a rule or law.

fly in the face of

Indicates a blatant contradiction or disregard for rules or norms.

FAQs

What does "be in violation of" mean?

The phrase "be in violation of" means to break or fail to comply with a law, rule, agreement, or standard. It indicates non-compliance with a specific regulation.

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

You can use "be in violation of" to describe actions or situations that contravene established rules. For example, "The company was found to "be in violation of" its contract." or "The driver "was in violation of" traffic laws."

What are some alternatives to "be in violation of"?

Alternatives include "contravene", "infringe upon", "breach", or "be in contravention of" depending on the specific context.

Is it "in violation to" or "in violation of"?

The correct preposition is "of". Therefore, the correct phrase is "in violation of". The phrase "in violation to" is grammatically incorrect.