by the law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the law" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a law, either explicitly or implicitly, when you are discussing a situation in which that law is relevant. For example, "John did not follow the safety protocol as required by the law and was subsequently fired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We've stood by the law.

The New York Times

by the law.

Cornell University

"Because they didn't abide by the law.

The New York Times

You got to abide by the law".

The New York Times

They are disenfranchised by the law.

The New York Times

But we abide by the law.

The New York Times

Consumers are protected by the law.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has to abide by the law.

The Guardian

Instead, they feel abandoned by the law.

The Washington Post

A coup by the law itself?

The New York Times

You are protected by the law.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by the law", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific law or type of law you are referring to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "by the law" loosely without understanding the specific legal implications. Always consult legal resources or experts to ensure accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the law" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating governance, authorization, or compliance. It modifies verbs or nouns to specify that actions or states are dictated or protected by legal standards, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by the law" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies governance, protection, or compliance with legal standards. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples across various domains. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to professional register. When using "by the law", ensure clarity regarding the specific legal framework to which you are referring. Alternatives include "according to the law" and "under the law".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to the law

Replaces "by" with "according to", focusing on legal compliance.

under the law

Specifies that something is governed or permitted by law.

in accordance with the law

Emphasizes compliance and agreement with the legal framework.

pursuant to the law

A more formal way of stating that something is done following the law.

as mandated by the law

Highlights that the law requires something specific.

authorized by law

Indicates that the law gives permission or power to do something.

subject to the law

Implies that something is under the control or jurisdiction of the law.

legally

A single-word adverb denoting actions that are within the bounds of the law.

within the legal framework

Focuses on the broader system of laws and regulations.

de jure

Latin term meaning "by right" or "according to law", used in formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "by the law" in a sentence?

You can use "by the law" to indicate that something is required, permitted, or governed by a particular law. For example, "All citizens are protected by the law" or "The company operates in accordance "according to the law"".

What's a good alternative to "by the law"?

Alternatives include "under the law", "in accordance with the law", or "pursuant to the law", depending on the level of formality you need.

Is it correct to say "according to law" instead of "by the law"?

While both are generally acceptable, "by the law" often implies a broader governance or protection, whereas "according to law" ("according to law") focuses more on compliance with specific legal provisions.

How does "by the law" differ from "within the law"?

"By the law" usually suggests being governed or protected, while "within the law" means staying inside the boundaries of what's legally permissible. The former implies adherence, the latter implies constraint.