fully in force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fully in force" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a law, regulation, or agreement is completely effective and operational. Example: "The new environmental regulations are now fully in force, and all companies must comply with the updated standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The danger is that the austerity conditions remain fully in force and debt relief is much less generous than Tsipras is hoping for.

The Guardian

DOMA and D.A.D.T. — the Defense of Marriage Act and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" — remain as fully in force as they were on Election Day.

The New Yorker

However Suzanne advises caution: The new EPA rules will almost certainly not be strong enough, and may not be fully in force before the end of Obama's term.

The Guardian

The E.P.A. estimates that by 2020, when the rule is fully in force, only seven counties, all of them in California, will still be out of compliance.

The New York Times - Science

(For the record: the situation in BC is in the process of changing: a new Water Sustainability Act, passed this spring, will be fully in force by spring 2015).

The Guardian - Money

However for other very pressurised species such as cod, haddock, plaice and sole, the ban could be phased in from 2015, and not be fully in force until 2018.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The current Course of Study for Elementary Schools was announced in March 2008, and came fully into force in April 2011 with the objectives of revision including keeping up with societal change over the years and meeting the needs of learners on an international level.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

In reality, it will do more harm than good.A revolutionary ideaThe "Florange law" was passed in 2014 and will come fully into force in March 2016.

The Economist

An EU ban on oil imports, which comes fully into force in November, will have the most impact as Europe accounts for 95% of Syrian energy exports.

The Guardian

Party-promoters in Belfast will be punished for advertising their events with fly-posters once the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) comes fully into force in April.

The Economist

The UK Working Time Regulations (WTR) came fully into force in 2009, necessitating that junior doctors not work more than 48 h/week on average and not spend more than 13 h at their workplace in a 24 h period.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about laws or regulations, clarify the specific date or conditions under which they become "fully in force" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because a general policy is "fully in force", all its specific applications are immediately and universally applicable. Check for phased implementations or exceptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fully in force" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often 'law', 'regulation', or 'agreement') to indicate its state of complete effectiveness and operational status. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fully in force" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a law, regulation, or agreement is completely effective and operational. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various domains, including news, science, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "completely effective" or "in full effect" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to specify effective dates to avoid ambiguity, and don't assume universal applicability without checking for phased implementations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely effective

Replaces "fully in force" with a more direct adjective-based description.

entirely operational

Focuses on the functionality aspect of being "in force".

completely implemented

Highlights the completion of the implementation process.

wholly operative

A more formal alternative to "fully in force".

in full effect

Emphasizes the degree of effect or impact.

in complete effect

Similar to "in full effect" but stresses completeness.

totally valid

Shifts the focus to the validity and legitimacy.

duly enacted

Highlights the proper enactment or establishment.

legally binding

Emphasizes the legal enforceability of something.

up and running

A more informal way to describe something that is operational.

FAQs

How can I use "fully in force" in a sentence?

You can use "fully in force" to indicate that a law, regulation, or agreement is completely effective and operational. For example, "The new environmental regulations are now "fully in force", and all companies must comply with the updated standards."

What are some alternatives to saying "fully in force"?

You can use alternatives such as "completely effective", "entirely operational", or "in full effect" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "partially in force" if only some aspects are active?

Yes, if only some aspects of a law or regulation are active, it would be accurate to describe it as "partly in force" or partially effective.

What's the difference between "fully in force" and "in effect"?

"Fully in force" emphasizes the complete and active implementation of something, while "in effect" generally means something is operational or valid. "Fully in force" suggests a more robust and comprehensive application.