extent of law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extent of law" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the scope or range of legal authority or application of laws in a particular context. Example: "The extent of law in this jurisdiction covers various aspects of civil rights and responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Anybody who violates the law or who engages in sexual relations with an inmate should be penalized to the full extent of law," Mr. Goodstein said today.

The New York Times

1731, 14 L.Ed.2d 601965965), to determine retroactivity in terms of three criteria: (1) the purpose served by the new rules; (2) the extent of law enforcement officials' justifiable reliance on prior standards; and (3) the effect on the administration of justice of a retroactive application of the new rules.

Cornell University

In the meanwhile the extent of law breaches by U.K. domestic intelligence agencies operating under a problematic patchwork of legislation and, prior to Snowden's whistleblowing, without parliamentary scrutiny in a climate of near perfect secrecy, is still being determined.

TechCrunch

When homeless advocates seek to protect the personal rights of people who are homeless, even to the extent of law suits, I typically applaud their efforts.

Huffington Post

The reality is that whether or not they're able to do that, the primary mechanism of maintaining control over territory is a seriously aggressive extent of law and order threatened with executions, amputations and all kinds of other horrific punishments.

Huffington Post

LGBT site Americablog notes Isakov's case has "confirmed activists' worst fears" about the far-reaching extent of law, especially in terms of how it could endanger foreigners visiting Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"'We won't prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.'" The law's sponsors aren't giving up.

The New York Times

Some have said that the Justice Department should investigate to determine if any laws were broken and prosecute any law-breakers to the full extent of the law.

Huffington Post

When prosecutors choose not to prosecute to the full extent of the law in a case as egregious as this, the law itself is diminished.

The New York Times

If any of them have violated US law, my administration will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law".

The Guardian

"These are not refugees, but people who are breaking the law and whom we will deal with to the fullest extent of the law," Netanyahu told cabinet ministers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extent of law", ensure that the context clearly defines whether you're referring to the scope of legal authority, the application of specific laws, or the boundaries of legal actions.

Common error

Avoid using "extent of law" when you actually mean the enforcement of laws. The phrase relates more to the range and boundaries of legal principles rather than the act of applying them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extent of law" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object of a preposition or as part of a larger noun phrase. Ludwig confirms this, showing its role in defining the limits or scope of legal authority. The phrase helps to qualify and specify the application or reach of legal principles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extent of law" is a noun phrase that describes the scope, reach, or application of legal principles. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news, academic, and scientific domains, indicating a neutral to formal register. While not extremely common, the phrase is well-established and useful for precisely defining legal boundaries. For alternatives, consider "scope of the law", "reach of the law", or "application of the law" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scope of the law

Focuses on the range and limitations within legal boundaries.

reach of the law

Emphasizes how far the law's authority extends.

application of the law

Highlights how legal principles are put into practice.

jurisdictional limits

Refers specifically to the boundaries within which a legal authority can operate.

legal boundaries

General term for the constraints and edges of legal authority.

limits of legality

Addresses the outermost points beyond which actions become illegal.

domain of law

Describes the area or sphere that the law governs.

legal constraints

Focuses on restrictions imposed by the law.

purview of legislation

Highlights what a particular law or set of laws is intended to cover.

legislative scope

Similar to purview, referring to the breadth of what laws address.

FAQs

How is "extent of law" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "extent of law" is used to describe the scope, reach, or application of legal principles or specific laws. For example, you might discuss the "extent of law" regarding environmental regulations or the "extent of law" in international waters.

What's a good alternative to "extent of law"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "scope of the law", "reach of the law", or "application of the law". Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "to the full extent of the law"?

Yes, the phrase "to the full extent of the law" is a common idiom. It means that legal penalties or actions will be applied completely and without leniency, maximizing the impact of the legal consequences.

What does "within the extent of law" mean?

"Within the extent of law" implies actions or behaviors are compliant and permissible by legal standards and regulations. It suggests adherence to legal boundaries and limitations.