existing laws

USAGE SUMMARY

"existing laws" is a grammatically correct and usable sentence in written English.
For example, "The government is working to strengthen existing laws to ensure public safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Existing laws are sufficient.

The New York Times

Tightening existing laws would be a start.

The Economist

But were any existing laws broken?

The New York Times

Existing laws are fragmented and inadequate".

The Guardian

Existing laws, such as copyrights, are violated.

Columbia University

Existing laws must be better used.

The Guardian - Opinion

Existing laws allow the captive breeding of animals.

The Guardian - Opinion

So I think it is vital to enforce existing laws.

The New Yorker

Police forces acknowledge that existing laws are not working.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are accustomed to the existing laws and regulations.

The Guardian - Business

It allows us to enforce our existing laws more efficiently".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal writing, be precise when referencing "existing laws" by specifying the jurisdiction and specific statutes to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that your audience is familiar with the "existing laws" you are referencing. Always provide sufficient context or citations for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existing laws" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the body of laws that are currently in effect within a specific jurisdiction. As Ludwig AI states, this is grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "existing laws" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the current legal framework. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and formal business settings. The phrase is employed to inform, describe, or analyze regulations in force, with a register ranging from neutral to formal. When using "existing laws", ensure clarity by specifying the relevant jurisdiction and statutes, and avoid assuming prior knowledge from your audience. Alternative phrases like "current legislation" or "statutes in effect" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laws currently in force

Rephrases "existing laws" with a focus on their present enforceability.

current legislation

Focuses on the legislative aspect of the existing laws.

applicable regulations

Highlights the regulations that are relevant and can be applied.

prevailing regulations

Highlights the regulatory nature of the laws in force.

governing statutes

Emphasizes the role of the statutes in governing or controlling certain activities.

statutes in effect

Emphasizes the active and operational status of the legal statutes.

operative laws

Focuses on the laws that are currently operating or functioning.

legal framework in place

Refers to the overall structure of laws that are currently active.

rules in effect

Uses the term "rules" as a more informal synonym for laws that are currently active.

extant legal provisions

A more formal and less common way to refer to existing laws or regulations.

FAQs

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

You can use "existing laws" to refer to current regulations, such as in the sentence: "The new policy aims to complement "existing laws" regarding environmental protection".

What is a more formal alternative to "existing laws"?

A more formal alternative to "existing laws" is "statutes in effect" or "operative laws", suitable for legal or academic contexts.

Are "existing laws" always sufficient to address new problems?

Not always. Sometimes, "existing laws" may be inadequate to address emerging issues, necessitating new legislation or amendments.

What is the difference between "existing laws" and "proposed laws"?

"Existing laws" are the regulations currently in force, while "proposed laws" are suggestions being considered but not yet enacted.