illegal

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "illegal" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that violates a law, rule, or code of conduct. For example, "The possession of drugs without a prescription is illegal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She said the existing system made it unlikely that an immigration overhaul could unleash a new wave of illegal migration, like the surge since the amnesty of 1986.

The New York Times

The report responds to lawmakers, mainly Republicans, who have argued that federal authorities must do much more to strengthen enforcement before Congress can consider any legalization for an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country.

The New York Times

Searching for an explanation I could think of only one answer, and that from their idiosyncratic laws; Chile is the only country in the world where it's illegal to get a divorce.

The Guardian - Travel

Icac concluded in its report that the Obeids had arranged for another mining company vying for the licence to withdraw its application, which it suggested was "arguably illegal" under competition law.

The Guardian

Clarke said: "The first priority of any British government is to provide for the security of the citizens of the country, and at the moment in the criminal field all the major activity is international, whether you're talking about international people trafficking, drug dealing, whether you're talking about illegal migration or whether you're talking about counter-terrorism.

The Guardian

Anwar, whose campaign for the seat vacated by his wife has been overshadowed by allegations of sodomy, which is illegal in Malaysia, won a majority of 15,671 over his government opponent.

The Guardian

"We know that abortion carries risks to the life of the woman – illegal abortion as much as legal abortion," she says, adding that the movement would like to see the legal exemptions removed and abortion completely criminalised.

The Guardian

"The IRA is not unwilling to talk, in fact there needs to be talks … however, talks need to deal with the root cause of the conflict, namely the illegal British occupation of Ireland.

The Guardian

Now we know why Cain thinks the idea of electrocuting illegal aliens is funny.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: UK top 10 albums of 2014 are all by British artists for first time Taylor said that the slide in British CD sales, precipitated by the rise of illegal downloads and digital sales and streaming, appeared to be slowing.

The Guardian

Mark Harper, the immigration minister behind the controversial campaign that put "go home" adverts on vans to urge illegal immigrants to leave Britain, has resigned after learning that his private cleaner for seven years did not have permission to work in the UK.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illegal", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific law, rule, or regulation is being violated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "illegal" vaguely; always clarify the specific legal context. Instead of simply saying something is "illegal", specify which law or regulation is being violated to provide clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "illegal" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is contrary to or forbidden by law. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples where "illegal" describes actions, substances, or entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "illegal" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting something that violates the law. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media. When using "illegal", clarity is crucial; specify the violated law to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "unlawful", "illicit", and "prohibited", each with slightly different connotations. Common errors involve overgeneralization, so always provide context. Authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ "illegal", underscoring its prevalence in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlawful

Emphasizes the violation of established laws or statutes.

against the law

A more descriptive way of stating something violates legal statutes.

illicit

Suggests moral disapproval or social condemnation, often involving forbidden activities.

prohibited

Focuses on the act of being formally forbidden by a specific authority or rule.

criminal

Specifically relates to activities punishable under criminal law.

outlawed

Highlights the action of something being made illegal by law.

contraband

Refers to goods that are illegally imported or exported.

unauthorized

Indicates a lack of official permission or approval.

illegitimate

Suggests something not in accordance with accepted standards or rules.

banned

Emphasizes a formal prohibition, often by an organization or government.

FAQs

How can I use "illegal" in a sentence?

You can use "illegal" to describe activities or actions that are against the law. For example, "It is illegal to drive without a license."

What are some alternatives to the word "illegal"?

Some alternatives to "illegal" include "unlawful", "illicit", or "prohibited", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "an illegal immigrant" or "a illegal immigrant"?

It is correct to say "an illegal immigrant" because "illegal" begins with a vowel sound. The article "an" is used before words starting with a vowel sound.

What is the difference between "illegal" and "unethical"?

"Illegal" refers to something that violates the law, while "unethical" refers to something that violates moral principles or professional standards. An action can be unethical without being illegal, and vice versa.