came into force

USAGE SUMMARY

'came into force' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has officially begun. For example: "The law banning smoking in public places came into force on July 1st."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It came into force in May.

The Guardian

The convention came into force in 1955.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The constitution came into force in October 1997.

Encyclopedia Britannica

START II never actually came into force.

Britannica

The law came into force this year.

The New York Times

The ban came into force in 2017.

The Guardian

It came into force in 1997.

The Guardian

The rule came into force in 2012.

The Guardian - Film

The Lisbon treaty came into force in December.

The Economist

The dividend exemption came into force in April.

The Economist

New rules governing online video came into force this week.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came into force" to clearly indicate the specific date or time when a law, rule, or agreement became legally or officially binding.

Common error

Avoid using "came in force" (incorrect preposition) or mixing tenses (e.g., "will come into force"). Ensure you're using the past tense when referring to a past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came into force" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the moment an agreement, law, or regulation becomes legally or officially binding. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

27%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "came into force" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a law, rule, or agreement has officially begun. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, signaling a neutral register. Remember to use the correct past tense form and avoid common errors like using the wrong preposition. Alternatives like "took effect" or ""became effective"" can be used for variety, but "came into force" provides a clear and widely understood way to mark the commencement of legal or official effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became effective

Replaces "came into force" with a more direct synonym for 'effective'.

took effect

Similar meaning, but slightly more concise and common.

was implemented

Focuses on the act of putting something into practice.

was enacted

Implies a more formal or legal process of establishment.

became operative

A more formal synonym, suitable for legal or technical contexts.

entered into effect

Slightly more verbose, but emphasizes the initiation of effectiveness.

started to apply

Emphasizes the action of applying or using something.

began operating

Focuses on the commencement of function or activity.

was put in place

Highlights the establishment or introduction of something.

was brought into effect

Emphasizes the action of making something effective.

FAQs

What does "came into force" mean?

The phrase "came into force" means that something, such as a law, regulation, or agreement, has officially begun to be in effect and is now legally binding or operational.

How to use "came into force" in a sentence?

You can use "came into force" to indicate when a particular rule, law, or agreement became effective. For example: "The new regulations "became effective" on January 1st."

What can I say instead of "came into force"?

You can use alternatives like "took effect", ""became effective"", or "was implemented" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "come into force" instead of "came into force"?

No, it's generally incorrect to say "come into force" when referring to a past event. The correct past tense form is "came into force". "Come into force" would be used when discussing a future event: "The new law will come into force next year."