established by law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "established by law" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has been created or set in place through legal means or legislation. Example: "The rights of citizens are established by law and must be upheld by the government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I don't know if the rent increases are established by law," he said.

The New York Times

Secondly, we compare the marginal costs of different cargoes with their price caps established by law.

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

Their salary is established by law, and they qualify for a pension.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was the price set, as established by law, by an appraisal of the county's General Service Administration.

The New York Times

The size and fitting of lifeboats are established by law, as is the number a ship must carry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The conversion factor for calculating the value of the single check was established by law in 2006.

The New York Times

Everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the rules established by law are hard and fast, officials can be granted waivers from the looser executive-order rules.

The New Yorker

The aim of the control is to obtain an effluent having the substrate concentration within the standard limits established by law (under 20 mg/l).

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

A White House official said that Miller regularly speaks to the State Department and DHS but that the TPS policy decisions followed the process established by law.

The Washington Post

The bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission was established by law to "examine the causes, domestic and global, of the current financial and economic crisis in the United States".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "established by law" to clearly indicate that a rule, procedure, or institution has a legal basis and is not merely a matter of policy or custom.

Common error

Avoid using "established by law" in contexts where the legal basis is not the primary focus. Simpler terms like "official" or "standard" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "established by law" functions as a past participle phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun has been formally created, recognized, or mandated through legal means. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in formal and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

25%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "established by law" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something has a formal legal basis. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to emphasize legitimacy and authority. It appears most frequently in news, science, and academic writing. While versatile, it is best suited for contexts where the legal foundation is a key point. For informal contexts, simpler alternatives may be more suitable. Remember to use "established by law" when you need to underscore that something is legally recognized or mandated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legally mandated

Focuses on the mandatory aspect enforced by law.

statutorily defined

Emphasizes definition through statutes or legislation.

prescribed by statute

Highlights the prescriptive nature of a legal statute.

legally constituted

Indicates something formed or created through legal processes.

ordained by law

Implies a formal or authoritative establishment through law.

set forth by legislation

Highlights that the establishment comes from legislative action.

codified in law

Emphasizes that the law is written down and organized in a code.

regulated by statute

Highlights the regulatory aspect of the law.

authorized by legal act

Specifies that an action is permitted or empowered by a legal act.

sanctioned by legal process

Focuses on approval or permission granted through a legal procedure.

FAQs

How can I use "established by law" in a sentence?

You can use "established by law" to describe rules, rights, or organizations that have been formally created or recognized through legislation. For example, "The company follows the procedures "prescribed by law"".

What are some alternatives to "established by law"?

Alternatives include "legally mandated", "statutorily defined", or "prescribed by statute", depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "established by law" or "required by law"?

"Established by law" implies that something has been formally created or recognized through legal means, while "required by law" simply means that something is legally mandatory. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the creation or the obligation.

What's the difference between "established by law" and "established by regulation"?

"Established by law" means that something is based on a statute or legislative act. "Established by regulation" means that it is based on rules and procedures created by an agency or authority, often under the power "delegated by law".