decrees

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'decrees' is correct and commonly used in written English.
'Decrees' is a noun that refers to official orders or laws issued by a government or a ruler. Example: "The king issued several decrees to reform the tax system and improve the lives of his subjects." In this sentence, 'decrees' is used to describe the official orders issued by the king to make changes in the tax system.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Niyazov ensured that gas-rich Turkmenistan remained one of the most isolated countries in the world, ensuring no free media, allowing little foreign travel and enacting a series of decrees that renamed the days of the week and months of the year after himself and members of his family.

The Guardian

In a new report, HRW said the kafala system, which decrees that a domestic worker cannot move to a new job before their contract ends without the employer's consent, trapped many women in abusive conditions.

The Guardian

But the new code, drawn up by David Cameron in May decrees that a PPS must toe the government line or face resignation.

The Guardian

James' response to the scene's omission – that "first and foremost a romantic love story" – further elucidates the supposed incompatibility between love and blood: Hollywood decrees that you have your love over here, and your blood over there, and never the twain shall mix.

The Guardian - Opinion

Berdymukhamedov, who was formerly a dentist and then became Niyazov's health minister, presided over a very gradual liberalisation when he first came to power after Niyazov's death, reversing some of the late president's more eccentric decrees.

The Guardian

The ruling State Council and the country's central bank have issued numerous decrees in recent weeks designed to dampen the market and to crack down on speculation.

The Economist

Late last year groups in different parts of China began simply claiming land as their own individual private plots.China's constitution decrees that rural land is owned by "collectives".

The Economist

Fresh from angering Germany by praising the decrees, the Czech prime minister, Milos Zeman, pulled out of a planned summit of four EU candidates in Hungary.

The Economist

Relatively undignified as it is, football offers grounds for hope here: beloved black footballers have probably done more for race relations in Britain than many decrees and activists.

The Economist

Laurent Joffrin, editor of the left-leaning Libération, this week accused Mr Sarkozy of installing "an elective monarchy .Yet Mr Sarkozy's planned constitutional reforms include others to make parliament a stronger counterweight: rights to oversee presidential nominations and authorise long-term military engagements abroad, as well as limits on the use of decrees.

The Economist

Signing decrees in the Kremlin on March 31st, he seemed unable to grasp that his dissolution of the government had turned all his ministers into acting ministers until a new prime minister had been appointed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the impact or consequences of official pronouncements, use "decrees" to highlight the concrete changes they bring about. For example, "The new decrees led to widespread protests and social unrest."

Common error

Avoid using "decrees" to describe mere suggestions or non-binding recommendations. The term should be reserved for legally binding orders or official pronouncements. For example, instead of saying "The committee issued decrees for improving safety standards", consider using "The committee issued recommendations for improving safety standards."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "decrees" is as a noun, typically in the plural form, referring to official orders or legal pronouncements. As Ludwig AI explains, these are often issued by governing bodies or authorities. The examples provided demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "decrees" refers to official orders or legal pronouncements, typically issued by a government or other authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical function is primarily as a plural noun. Its usage spans various contexts, most commonly in news and media, reflecting its relevance in discussing political and legal actions. When writing, ensure that "decrees" is used to describe legally binding orders and not mere suggestions. Related phrases such as "official edicts" or "legal pronouncements" can be used for variety, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. With a high source quality score and consistent usage across reliable sources, "decrees" remains a valuable term for formal and authoritative communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official edicts

Replaces "decrees" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the official nature of the pronouncements.

legal pronouncements

Focuses on the legal aspect of the decrees, highlighting their status within a legal framework.

formal orders

Uses a more generic term for "decrees", suitable when the context doesn't require a strong emphasis on legal authority.

official regulations

Emphasizes the regulatory aspect, highlighting that decrees often set rules and guidelines.

legislative acts

Highlights the legislative origin of decrees, useful when discussing the law-making process.

statutory provisions

A more technical term referring to specific parts of written law.

rulings

Often used in judicial contexts, referring to decisions made by courts or tribunals.

ordinances

This alternative is especially used at the municipal government level.

mandates

A formal order or commission to do something.

proclamations

Emphasizes the public declaration aspect of decrees, highlighting their role in making information known.

FAQs

How are "decrees" typically used in legal contexts?

"Decrees" are often used to refer to formal orders or judgments issued by a court or government authority. They carry legal weight and are intended to enforce specific actions or policies.

What's the difference between "laws" and "decrees"?

"Laws" are generally created through a legislative process and require broader consensus, while "decrees" can be issued directly by an executive authority. Decrees often have a narrower scope or are used in emergency situations.

What can I say instead of "decrees" when discussing company policies?

In a business setting, alternatives like "directives", "regulations", or "mandates" might be more appropriate than "decrees", which sounds more authoritarian.

How does the historical context affect the use of "decrees"?

Historically, "decrees" were often associated with monarchies or autocratic regimes, where rulers had the power to issue binding orders without legislative approval. Understanding this historical context can add depth to your writing.