creature of law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "creature of law" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is subject to the law, often connoting a lack of freedom. For example, "The citizens of this country were treated as mere creatures of law, with no input on their own destiny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The object may be corporeal, such as furniture, or completely the creature of law, such as a patent, copyright, or annuity; it may be movable, such as an animal, or immovable, such as land.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the Fed is a creature of laws and men, and laws and men can be changed.

The Economist

"Business groups are not people – they are man-made creatures of law that exist to generate economic activity and create jobs and income in communities," the A.F.L.-C.I.O.'s said.

The New York Times

However, if group rights could only ever be creatures of law, we could not protest that a legal system was failing to recognise or to respect a group's right.

SEP

Libel law is a creature of state law over which the President holds no jurisdiction.

Huffington Post

But late in the day, with the stock trading below the IPO price, a spokesman said lawyers refused to allow executives to speak due to the quiet period, which is a creature not of law but of practice, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forbes

"I.C.H.I.P. premiums are established by state law," he said, "and I.P.X.P. is a creature of federal law.

The New York Times

It was a mistake, she suggested, that the Supreme Court "imbued a creature of State law with human characteristics".

The Economist

According to Bentham (1843) " … there is no natural property … property is entirely the creature of the law".

SEP

Temporary exclusion of 100 percent of gain on certain small-business stock: This provision, an incentive to invest in small companies by making the capital gains tax-free, is yet another creature of recent stimulus laws that has been expanded over the last few years, and like the others, it also expired at the end of last year.

The New York Times

THE poison pill is one of the most egregious creatures of American corporate law.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation: "creature of law" can imply that the entity lacks autonomy or independent existence outside the legal system.

Common error

Avoid using "creature of law" to describe entities that predate legal systems or have an existence independent of them. Reserve it for things explicitly brought into being by laws.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "creature of law" functions as a noun phrase used as a descriptor. It highlights that an entity or concept owes its existence and nature to the legal system. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable and typically describes something subject to the law.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "creature of law" describes entities or concepts that are products of and governed by the legal system. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and usable, often implying that the subject lacks independent existence outside the law. Primarily found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, this expression serves to emphasize the legal basis and limitations inherent in such creations. When writing, use "creature of law" to spotlight the artificial or legally constructed nature of a subject, and avoid applying it to anything predating or independent of legal frameworks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject to the law

Emphasizes the subservient or regulated status under the legal system.

governed by law

Similar to "subject to the law", but puts more stress on being controlled by the law.

creation of law

Focuses on the act of law-making, rather than the entity created or governed.

product of law

Highlights the outcome or result of legal processes, similar to "creature of law" but with a focus on the result.

legally defined entity

Highlights that the entity's existence and characteristics are determined by legal definitions.

legal construct

Emphasizes the artificial or created nature of something existing purely within a legal framework.

child of law

This is a more metaphorical way of saying the entity is a product of the legal system.

statutory creation

Indicates that the entity or concept owes its existence to a statute or law.

creation of statute

The emphasis is on the official legal act that defines an entity rather than the entity itself.

instrument of law

Focuses on how law serves as a tool, rather than the entity being a product.

FAQs

How can I use "creature of law" in a sentence?

You can use "creature of law" to describe something whose existence depends on the legal system, such as a corporation or a legal right. For example: "A corporation is a "creature of law", existing only because of the laws that allow its formation".

What's a good alternative to "creature of law"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include "legal construct", "creation of law", or "product of law". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of being legally defined.

What does it mean to be a "creature of law"?

To be a "creature of law" means your existence, rights, and responsibilities are defined and governed by legal statutes. It implies a lack of inherent existence independent of the legal framework.

Is "creature of laws" or "creature of law" more correct?

"Creature of law" is generally used in a singular sense to describe something created or governed by law in general. "Creature of laws" can be used when referring to something created by specific sets of laws, but the singular form is more common.