been in force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been in force" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a law, rule, or agreement has been active or applicable for a certain period of time. Example: "The new regulations have been in force since January 1st, 2020."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

§ 5508 has been in force for forty-five years.

Cornell University

The statute has been in force for 30 years.

Cornell University

They have now been in force for four months.

The New York Times

Emission level laws have been in force since 2005.

The Guardian - Opinion

The federal Act has been in force for nearly a century.

Harvard University

Had those acts been in force in 1995, Article IV might not have been written.

Princeton University

A similar law had been in force in Pennsylvania since 1761.

Cornell University

These, it said, might never have been uncovered had a privacy law been in force.

The Economist

Had those restrictions still been in force, fewer might have died in Denver.

The Economist

28 days The current limit, which has been in force since the Terrorism Act of 2006.

Independent

A curfew has been in force for more than a year.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been in force", specify the duration or starting date to provide context and clarity to the reader. For example: "The regulation has been in force since 2010."

Common error

Avoid using "been in force" when describing a future or hypothetical situation. Instead, use "will be in force" or "would have been in force", as appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been in force" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a law, rule, or agreement. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it indicates that something has been active or operational for a certain duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been in force" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the period a law, rule, or agreement has been active. According to Ludwig, it's frequently found in news, academic, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "is effective" and "is in effect". When using "been in force", it's best to specify the duration or starting date for clarity. Avoid using it for future or hypothetical scenarios. Remember that while a law may have "been in force", it may not always be actively "enforced". Overall, "been in force" is a useful phrase for indicating the operational status of regulations and policies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in effect

Similar meaning but focuses on the current state of being operational.

has taken effect

Emphasizes the point at which something became operational.

is effective

Replaces "been in force" with a more general term indicating something is operative.

is in operation

Focuses on the ongoing functionality of a system or process.

is operative

A formal substitute, emphasizing the functionality of a rule or law.

is valid

Highlights the legitimacy and legal standing of something.

is implemented

Focuses on the action of putting a rule or system into practice.

has been implemented

Similar to "is implemented" but retains a past perfect tense.

is applicable

Indicates relevance and suitability to a particular situation.

is established

Implies long-term acceptance and recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "been in force" in a sentence?

Use "been in force" to describe a law, rule, or agreement that has been active for a period of time. For example: "The new policy has "been in force" for six months."

What's a good alternative to "been in force"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is effective", "is in effect", or "is operative" as alternatives to "been in force".

Is it correct to say "will be in force"?

Yes, "will be in force" is correct when referring to a future implementation. For example: "The new regulations "will be in force" starting next year."

What is the difference between "in force" and "enforced"?

"In force" means that a law or rule is active and valid, while "enforced" means that it is being actively applied and obeyed. A law can be "been in force" but not actively enforced.