challenge the ruling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenge the ruling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts when someone disputes or contests a decision made by a court or authority. Example: "The defendant decided to challenge the ruling made by the judge in the previous trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The family sought to challenge the ruling.

The Guardian - Opinion

It plans to challenge the ruling.

The New York Times

Iran says it will challenge the ruling.

The Guardian - Sport

But the ANC vowed to challenge the ruling.

The Guardian

Brasil Telecom and Opportunity said they would challenge the ruling.

The New York Times

The banks involved hope to challenge the ruling in the House of Lords.

Independent

Sadly, the reality in Iran is that you cannot openly challenge the ruling elite's medieval policies.

Independent

Mr. Yavlinsky promised to challenge the ruling, which he said was politically motivated.

The New York Times

The Conservative home secretary, Theresa May, said the government would not challenge the ruling.

The New York Times

The family disagreed but did not challenge the ruling in court.

The New York Times

Mrs. Arifi said she planned to challenge the ruling in court.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or formal situations, use "challenge the ruling" to clearly convey the act of disputing a decision made by an authority.

Common error

Avoid using "challenge the ruling" when you simply mean to question or inquire about a ruling. "Challenge" implies a formal dispute or contest, not just a request for clarification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenge the ruling" functions as a verb phrase acting as a predicate, indicating an action taken against a judicial or authoritative decision. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase accurately describes disputing or contesting a specific ruling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "challenge the ruling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the act of contesting or disputing an official decision. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for formal and informal contexts, with a predominant presence in news and media. While alternatives such as "contest the ruling" or "appeal the ruling" exist, each carries slightly different nuances. Understanding the scope and implications of "challenge" is crucial to avoid misusing the phrase when a simple inquiry is intended. The phrase accurately describes disputing or contesting a specific ruling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contest the ruling

Replaces "challenge" with "contest", implying a formal dispute of the ruling.

appeal the ruling

Specifies the legal process of appealing, making it a more specific form of challenging.

dispute the ruling

Uses "dispute" to indicate disagreement with the ruling, carrying a slightly less formal tone.

question the ruling

Emphasizes the act of questioning the validity or fairness of the ruling.

oppose the ruling

Focuses on the opposition to the ruling, indicating a stance against it.

object to the ruling

Highlights a formal objection to the ruling, often within a legal context.

resist the ruling

Suggests a stronger form of opposition, implying active resistance against the ruling.

fight the ruling

Implies a determined and active effort to overturn the ruling.

take issue with the ruling

Indicates disagreement and a desire to debate or discuss the ruling.

call the ruling into question

Focuses on casting doubt on the validity or appropriateness of the ruling.

FAQs

What does "challenge the ruling" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, "challenge the ruling" means to formally dispute or contest a decision made by a court or other authority. This often involves filing an appeal or other legal action to overturn the decision.

What's the difference between "appeal the ruling" and "challenge the ruling"?

While both phrases involve disputing a ruling, "appeal the ruling" specifically refers to the legal process of seeking a review of a decision by a higher court. "Challenge the ruling" is a broader term that can include appeals, but also other forms of opposition.

Are there situations where it's inappropriate to use "challenge the ruling"?

Yes, it's inappropriate to use "challenge the ruling" if you simply mean to inquire about or question a decision without intending to formally dispute it. In such cases, phrases like "question the ruling" or "seek clarification on the ruling" would be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "challenge the ruling" that I can use in less formal contexts?

In less formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "dispute the ruling", "question the ruling", or "oppose the ruling" to convey disagreement with a decision without necessarily implying a formal legal challenge.