has been in force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been in force" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a law, rule, or regulation that is currently in effect. Example: The new traffic law has been in force for a month now, and drivers have already noticed a decrease in accidents on the highway.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since then the law of nationality has been in force.

Yale University

§ 5508 has been in force for forty-five years.

Cornell University

The statute has been in force for 30 years.

Cornell University

The federal Act has been in force for nearly a century.

Harvard University

28 days The current limit, which has been in force since the Terrorism Act of 2006.

Independent

A curfew has been in force for more than a year.

The Economist

The IWC's international moratorium on commercial whaling has been in force since 1985.

The Guardian

An interim policy was published in September and has been in force since.

The Guardian

A stock market rally has been in force since March, with only occasional pauses.

The New York Times

The treaty has been in force since 1994, but the United States cannot join in its deliberations.

The New York Times

A moratorium on land concessions has been in force since May, as a land-titling exercise is undertaken.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying the duration, include the starting date or event to provide context, such as "The moratorium has been in force since May."

Common error

Avoid using "had been in force" when referring to a law or rule that is still active. "Had been in force" indicates that the law was previously active but is no longer so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been in force" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the active or operational status of a law, rule, regulation, or agreement. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something currently in effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been in force" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for indicating that a law, regulation, or agreement is currently active. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically used to describe something currently in effect. It appears most frequently in News & Media and academic contexts. When using the phrase, ensure you are referring to something that is still currently active and avoid confusing it with past tenses like "had been in force". Consider alternatives such as "is currently effective" or "is now in effect" for variety and formality. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase the wide range of contexts in which this phrase is appropriately used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is currently effective

This alternative emphasizes the present effectiveness of a rule or law.

is now in effect

This option focuses on the current state of being operational.

is currently valid

This focuses on the ongoing validity of a legal matter or agreement.

remains operative

This suggests a continuous operational status.

is still active

This option directly indicates an ongoing active state.

continues to apply

This alternative highlights the ongoing application or relevance of a rule or law.

is still in operation

This phrasing emphasizes the ongoing operational status.

is presently implemented

This stresses current implementation.

is actively implemented

This stresses the active usage.

is in practice

This phrase emphasizes real-world application.

FAQs

How can I use "has been in force" in a sentence?

You can use "has been in force" to indicate that a law, rule, or agreement is currently active. For example, "The new regulations "has been in force" since January 1st".

What's a more formal way to say "has been in force"?

More formal alternatives include "is currently effective" or "is now in effect". For example, "The legislation "is currently effective"".

What can I say instead of "has been in force" when talking about a temporary measure?

If the measure is temporary, you might use "is in effect temporarily" or "is currently implemented". For example, "The temporary ban "is in effect temporarily"".

Is it correct to say "had been in force" instead of "has been in force"?

Using "had been in force" indicates that the law or rule was previously active but is no longer so. Use ""has been in force"" when the law or rule is still active.