existing law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "existing law" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to laws that are currently in effect or have been enacted prior to a certain point in time. Example: "The proposed changes to the policy must comply with existing law to ensure legality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The existing law is far from ideal.

The New York Times

It mainly restates existing law.

The Washington Post

It largely reflects existing law...

Cornell University

in existing law is unlikely”).

Cornell University

What it did was reaffirm existing law.

The New York Times

Their copies do not violate existing law.

The New York Times

Right now just enforce the existing law.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Rule merely restated existing law.

Cornell University

A duty to follow existing law?

Princeton University

Existing law covers capture and detention of prisoners in battle.

The New York Times

He said the existing law had unclear wording.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal reforms or proposed changes, use "existing law" to clearly distinguish between the current legal framework and the intended alterations. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in legal documents and discussions.

Common error

Avoid redundant use of "existing law" when the context already implies the present legal framework. For instance, instead of saying "Under existing law, the penalty is X," simply state "The penalty is X" if it's clear you're referring to the current legal situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existing law" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, primarily to denote the current legal framework as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "existing law" is a noun phrase used to denote the current legal framework. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. Its purpose is to specify and emphasize current legal regulations, often in contrast to proposed changes or to highlight compliance requirements. While its register is primarily neutral, it maintains a level of precision suitable for professional contexts. Common alternatives include "current legislation" and "prevailing regulations".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current legislation

Refers to laws that are presently in effect, emphasizing the temporal aspect of being current.

prevailing regulations

Highlights the regulatory aspect of the laws that are currently dominant or most widely applied.

laws in force

Focuses on the active, operational status of the laws.

applicable legal framework

Emphasizes the broad structure and relevance of the laws in a given situation.

statutory provisions in effect

Highlights the specific, enacted parts of the legal code that are currently active.

the law as it stands

Indicates the present state or condition of the law.

operative legal principles

Focuses on the fundamental doctrines and guidelines that are actively guiding legal decisions.

extant legal rules

Emphasizes that the legal rules are still in existence and valid.

the present legal regime

Focuses on the current system of laws and regulations governing a particular area.

effective statutes

Highlights the effectiveness and validity of the laws.

FAQs

How can I use "existing law" in a sentence?

You can use "existing law" to refer to the current legal regulations. For example, "The new policy must comply with "existing law" to be valid".

What is a good substitute for "existing law"?

Alternatives to "existing law" include "current legislation", "prevailing regulations", or "laws in force", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the existing law" or simply "existing law"?

Both "the existing law" and "existing law" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the context; using "the" specifies a particular body of law, while omitting it refers to the concept more generally.

What's the difference between "existing law" and "proposed legislation"?

"Existing law" refers to the laws currently in effect, whereas "proposed legislation" describes laws that are being considered but have not yet been enacted.