comes into force on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comes into force on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate the date when a law, regulation, or agreement becomes effective. Example: "The new policy comes into force on January 1, 2024."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The legislation, which comes into force on Saturday, will stop deals such as two-for-the price-of one and group discounts on wine.

BBC

THE Bribery Act comes into force on July 1st.

The Economist

The change comes into force on 7 December.

The Guardian - Money

Slovakia's new law, which comes into force on September 1st, is under fire for its harshness.

The Economist

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which comes into force on Wednesday, will not disarm the world.

The Guardian

This comes into force on 12 November and could limit students' progression from colleges to universities.

The Guardian

They are worried by declining media freedom across eastern Europe.Slovakia's new law comes into force on June 1st.

The Economist

1d362b93-b0dc-4219-8384-f53b01286d70 The government's NHS shake-up in England comes into force on 1 April.

BBC

New Jersey's law took effect on Jan . 1 while New York's law comes into force on April 1.

The New York Times - Tech

Australia is heading to the meeting in Morocco without having ratified the Paris agreement, which comes into force on Friday.

The Guardian

The government says the change, which comes into force on 12 November, will help ensure academic progression.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comes into force on" when referring to laws, regulations, or formal agreements that are about to take effect. Be specific with the date to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in the past tense when referring to a future event. Instead of saying "The law came into force on…", use "The law comes into force on…" to indicate the future effective date.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes into force on" functions as a prepositional phrase that specifies the exact date a law, regulation, or agreement becomes effective. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comes into force on" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate the effective date of a law, regulation, or agreement. As shown by Ludwig, it is frequently used in news and media contexts to inform the public about upcoming changes. While alternatives like "takes effect on" or "becomes operative on" exist, "comes into force on" clearly communicates the commencement of legal enforceability. It's important to use the correct tense and specify the date to avoid ambiguity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a reliable choice for formal writing when clarity about effective dates is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

takes effect on

Uses a different verb to indicate the start of effectiveness.

becomes operative on

More formal and emphasizes the operational aspect of a law or agreement.

is implemented on

Focuses on the action of putting something into practice.

is enacted on

Highlights the legislative aspect of a law coming into effect.

is applicable from

Emphasizes the period from which something can be applied.

starts on

A simpler, more direct way to express the beginning of something.

begins on

Similar to "starts on" but can imply a process or development.

is valid from

Focuses on the period of validity, often used for agreements or documents.

is scheduled to begin on

Specifies that a start date has been planned or arranged.

is due to commence on

More formal, suggesting a planned or expected start date.

FAQs

What does "comes into force on" mean?

The phrase "comes into force on" indicates the specific date on which a law, regulation, or agreement becomes legally effective and operational.

How to use "comes into force on" in a sentence?

You can use "comes into force on" to specify when a new rule or legislation will be implemented. For example: "The new regulations "take effect on" January 1, 2026."

What are some alternatives to "comes into force on"?

Alternatives include "takes effect on", "becomes operative on", or "is implemented on". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "came into force on"?

Yes, "came into force on" is correct when referring to a past event. For example: "The law came into force on July 1st."