catch-all provisions

USAGE SUMMARY

"catch-all provisions" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to clauses in legal or contractual documents that cover a broad range of situations or items not specifically mentioned. For example: "The contract includes catch-all provisions to address unforeseen circumstances." Alternative expressions include "general provisions" and "umbrella clauses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Law-breaking officials will be mightily relieved.Just in case this is not enough to preserve government secrets, the bill also contains some bizarre catch-all provisions.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The rampant and indiscriminate use of the Sedition Act... functions as a catch-all provision to target all and sundry for anything that is remotely contentious, thus stifling democratic norms and creating a climate of fear," he said.

The Guardian

But they have ended up with a catch-all provision because, I assume, there may be cases in which the general rule would otherwise operate, in which there is an affirmative counterindication to what the general rule would provide.

The New York Times

"We need to see a broad, catch-all provision to prevent any drugs from being used in capital punishment in order to ensure Europe is never again complicit in the death penalty," Reprieve's director, Clare Algar, said.

The Guardian

So even where states have approached this in an attempt to give specificity, they have ended up with a catch-all provision that says, look at the intent of the voter.

The New York Times

A civil engineer, Osman faced a public flogging after her arrest by 10 police officers last year for falling foul of a catch-all provision barring "indecent dressing" because she failed to cover her hair.

The Guardian

The statute, which expressly applies to "any justice... of the United States," not just lower-court judges, as Toobin says, has a broad, catch-all provision that requires a Justice to recuse him- or herself in any proceeding in which the Justice's impartiality "might reasonably be questioned".

The New Yorker

But there's a catch-all provision applying to owners who "willfully violate any of the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws, resolutions, or agreements of the Association".

Los Angeles Times

This catch-all provision, added by the Judiciary Committee at the last minute, is a huge step forward, giving federal judges discretion to apply the proposed shield law to anonymous sources who otherwise are ineligible for protection.

Huffington Post

The provision was added to a catch-all spending bill by Senator Christopher S. Bond, Republican of Missouri.

The New York Times

Through May 6. "Catch-All Character Cups".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting legal or contractual documents, use "catch-all provisions" judiciously to address unforeseen circumstances, ensuring they are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "catch-all provisions" as a substitute for specific terms. If a situation can be addressed directly, do so instead of relying solely on a broad, general clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch-all provisions" functions as a noun phrase, where "catch-all" acts as an adjective modifying "provisions". It is used to describe clauses designed to be comprehensive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch-all provisions" refers to broad clauses designed to cover a wide range of situations, particularly in legal and contractual contexts. While grammatically correct, it is essential to use them judiciously and with clear definitions to avoid ambiguity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is most frequently found in news and legal documents. Related phrases include "blanket clauses" and "omnibus clauses". The phrase maintains a neutral to professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blanket clauses

Implies a broad, sweeping coverage, often used in legal or contractual contexts.

omnibus clauses

Suggests a comprehensive provision encompassing diverse elements.

general clauses

Refers to broad, non-specific terms intended to cover various contingencies.

sweeping provisions

Highlights the wide-ranging nature and potential impact of the terms.

umbrella clauses

Emphasizes the protective, all-encompassing function of the provisions.

residual clauses

Implies a clause that deals with what remains after specific items have been addressed.

all-encompassing terms

Stresses the comprehensive nature of the conditions or stipulations.

comprehensive terms

Focuses on the thorough and complete coverage offered by the terms.

inclusive provisions

Highlights that the provisions include or cover many items or cases.

broad provisions

Indicates that the provisions are wide in scope and application.

FAQs

How can I use "catch-all provisions" in a sentence?

"Catch-all provisions" are typically used in legal or contractual contexts to cover a broad range of situations. For example: "The contract includes "catch-all provisions" to address unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "catch-all provisions"?

Alternatives include "blanket clauses", "omnibus clauses", or "general clauses", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

What is the purpose of including "catch-all provisions" in a legal document?

The purpose is to ensure that any situation not specifically covered by other clauses is still addressed, providing a safety net for unforeseen events or circumstances. This helps to minimize potential loopholes or ambiguities.

Are there any risks associated with using "catch-all provisions"?

Yes, if not carefully worded, "catch-all provisions" can be too vague, leading to disputes over interpretation. Specificity is important to balance comprehensiveness with clarity.