expropriation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expropriation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal and economic contexts to refer to the act of taking property from its owner for public use, often with compensation. Example: "The government's expropriation of land for the new highway project sparked protests among local residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He claimed, without any supporting evidence, that the money could be raised from his favourite projects - land tax, death duties or the expropriation of tithes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Inside the building's shady stairwells, the character for "expropriation" has been written and circled in red over stained walls.

The Guardian

The permanent court of arbitration rejected Moscow's arguments that the assets seizure was driven by tax-collection motives, ruling that the state set out to bankrupt the oil firm in "a devious and calculated expropriation".

The Guardian - Business

The tribunal concluded that the expropriation had not been carried out to benefit Rosneft, which is controlled by Putin's ally Igor Sechin.

The Guardian - Business

On top of the sanctions threat, this week Europe's most senior arbitration court ruled that a significant amount of the assets held by Rosneft had fallen into its hands following an illegal expropriation of holdings belonging to another privately-owned oil group in Russia, Yukos.

The Guardian - Business

As many fight for his release, former Yukos management also fight for justice for the thousands of Yukos shareholders whose assets were stolen during a campaign of expropriation orchestrated by Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin.

The Guardian

There were indeed large-scale expulsions of Turks, and the expropriation of Turkish-owned land.Still, although the policies advocated by Messrs Blair and Gladstone may have been rather different, their moral fervour is strikingly similar.

The Economist

The expropriation has frayed relations between Argentina and Spain, which will want a guarantee from Argentina that it will honour its bond.

The Economist

When President Cristina Fernández last year ordered the expropriation of Repsol's controlling stake in YPF, the country's main oil company, she saw this as a way of ensuring Vaca Muerta would be developed by Argentines, not Spaniards.

The Economist

The bill may even be unconstitutional, if the withdrawal of old rights can be shown to amount to expropriation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He might then also try annihilating corruption, installing a real rule of law, creating an independent judiciary and stopping expropriations by the state.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expropriation" when referring to the act of a government taking private property for public use. If referring to illegal seizure by individuals, use terms like 'theft' or 'conversion'.

Common error

Avoid using "expropriation" interchangeably with "nationalization". "Expropriation" can refer to any taking of private property, whereas "nationalization" specifically refers to a government taking control of an entire industry or sector.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "expropriation" is as a noun, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows it refers to the act of taking private property for public use. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

35%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expropriation" is a grammatically correct noun, commonly used in news and business contexts to describe the act of a government taking private property for public use. As Ludwig confirms, it is essential to distinguish "expropriation" from "nationalization" and to be aware of the legal and ethical considerations surrounding compensation. Related phrases include "seizure of assets" and "confiscation of property". Remember to use the term accurately and provide context regarding compensation to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confiscation of property

Focuses more on the act of seizing property, often due to legal or political reasons.

seizure of assets

Emphasizes the taking control of assets, which can be broader than just property.

nationalization

Specifically refers to the government taking control of an industry or assets.

compulsory acquisition

Highlights the mandatory nature of the acquisition, often by a government or authority.

eminent domain

Refers to the right of a government to take private property for public use, with compensation.

deprivation of ownership

Focuses on the act of removing someone's right to own something.

divestment

Suggests a forced or required selling off of assets or holdings.

taking of property

A more general term for the act of taking property from someone.

forfeiture of rights

Implies a loss of rights, often as a penalty or consequence.

requisition

Taking something for temporary use, especially by the government.

FAQs

What does "expropriation" mean?

"Expropriation" refers to the act of a government taking privately owned property for public use, typically with compensation to the owner.

How does "expropriation" differ from nationalization?

While both involve a government taking control of assets, "expropriation" can apply to individual properties, while "nationalization" usually refers to the government taking control of entire industries or sectors.

Is "expropriation" always legal?

"Expropriation" is generally considered legal if it is done for a legitimate public purpose and if the owner receives fair compensation. Without these conditions, it may be considered "confiscation" or theft.

What are some synonyms for "expropriation"?

Alternatives to "expropriation" include "seizure of assets", "confiscation of property", and "compulsory acquisition", depending on the specific context.