evading the law

USAGE SUMMARY

"evading the law" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of trying to avoid or get around laws or regulations. For example, "The defendant was accused of evading the law by submitting false income tax returns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But these modern moonshiners are no Dukes of Hazzard, racing around in the General Lee and evading the law.

The New York Times

But until recently, many Dutch farmers were evading the law, which was costing the country millions in EU fines.

The Guardian

But typically, big foreign concerns have a more difficult time evading the law in that way, and others, too, are facing worker unrest.

The New York Times

Each season the show drove Mackey deeper onto the defensive, so that increasingly, evading the law seemed merely an end in itself.

The New York Times - Arts

"Any allegation or assertion that there is or was a corporate policy of evading the law in conjunction with the B-1 visa program is simply not accurate," Ted Bockius, an Infosys spokesman, said Thursday.

The New York Times

Given what state officials called Mr. Rich's expertise at evading the law, the state filed a pre-emptive tax lien, or a jeopardy assessment, yesterday in Albany on property they believe Mr. Rich owns in New York State.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Of all the cases in this report, Rahim's may do the most to prove that Congress needs to act to prevent the CIA and US attorneys from ever again secretly evading the laws against torture.

The Guardian - Opinion

The criminal syndicate has so far evaded the law.

Independent

Christian and the mutineers successfully evaded the law.

The New Yorker

And they say that online pirates could find ways to evade the law.

The New York Times

Just look at how Silvio Berlusconi evaded the law for all those year.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of "evading the law". It often implies intentionality and wrongdoing. Ensure this aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Be careful not to use "evading the law" when "avoiding the law" is more appropriate. "Avoiding" can refer to legal strategies to minimize obligations (e.g., tax avoidance), while "evading" typically implies illegal actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evading the law" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the act of avoiding legal regulations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct phrase. For example, "Evading the law turned out to be the least of their problems."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evading the law" is a commonly used and grammatically correct gerund phrase that describes actions taken to avoid or circumvent legal regulations. As Ludwig AI points out, it is used to refer to the act of trying to avoid or get around laws or regulations. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, consider the connotation of intentional wrongdoing and ensure it aligns with your intended meaning. Be mindful of the distinction between "evading" and "avoiding" the law, as they have different implications regarding legality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circumventing the law

Similar to the original phrase, but emphasizes a more strategic and planned avoidance.

finding loopholes in the law

Focuses on exploiting ambiguities or oversights in legal statutes.

bypassing legal regulations

This alternative focuses on the act of circumventing specific regulations rather than the entire legal system.

dodging legal restrictions

Focuses on avoiding specific limitations imposed by the law.

avoiding legal consequences

This alternative highlights the desire to escape the penalties associated with breaking the law.

skirting the edges of legality

Suggests actions that are close to being illegal but not quite crossing the line.

flouting the law

Implies a more open and defiant disregard for the law.

escaping prosecution

Highlights the act of avoiding being formally charged and tried for a crime.

eluding the authorities

Emphasizes avoiding detection and capture by law enforcement.

outsmarting the legal system

Suggests a clever or cunning approach to avoid the law.

FAQs

What does "evading the law" mean?

The phrase "evading the law" refers to actions taken to avoid or circumvent legal regulations, often with the implication of dishonesty or illegality.

What are some synonyms for "evading the law"?

Some synonyms for "evading the law" include "circumventing the law", "bypassing legal regulations", and "avoiding legal consequences".

Is "evading the law" the same as "breaking the law"?

No, "evading the law" is not exactly the same as "breaking the law". "Breaking the law" implies a direct violation, while "evading the law" suggests maneuvering around it, often through loopholes or deceptive practices. However, "evading the law" is still often illegal.

How to use "evading the law" in a sentence?

You can use "evading the law" in a sentence like this: "The company was accused of "evading the law" by using offshore accounts to hide its profits."