illegality

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "illegality" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is not allowed by law or which goes against the law. Example sentence: The illegality of the transaction was uncovered during the investigation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Bush administration may have saved thousands of lives through its illegal actions, a benefit that more than offsets their illegality or encroachment on civil liberties.

The Economist

Most of the colony's trade in sugar was illegal; Rhode Island responded to this act with an official remonstrance admitting the illegality of most of the trade and stating that strict enforcement would wreck the colony's economy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Match has denied that there was any illegality in the transactions, stating that Whelan was acting within the framework of the Fifa contract and, in this case, selling returned tickets at their face value.

The Guardian - Sport

"Abortion and the risks of illegality are basically a problem for the poor and black women of Brazil," Diniz says.

The Guardian

Lynas counters that he's unable to defend himself from charges he's exaggerated his role due the illegality of the acts he and his associates were complicit in.

The Guardian

In a rather less likely scenario, under the Representation of the People Act 1983, voters or disappointed candidates can lodge a petition questioning the result of a parliamentary election if they believe corruption or illegality has occurred.

The Guardian

"The contrast between compliance and illegality is a thread that runs through most of his time in Australia," Gormly said.

The Guardian

A claim by the Ritz had been based on "illegality" and the unlawful giving of credit, she claimed.

The Guardian

The court case followed GCC's adoption of these plans despite widespread opposition (16,000-signature petition and overwhelmingly negative consultation feedback) and repeated warnings of potential illegality by retired senior library service staff and opposition councillors.

The Guardian - Books

"These young people – who have come to learn how to strive against the propagation of stereotypes, from people who only see in immigration a source of illegality, social conflict and violence – can contribute much to show the world a church without borders," Francis wrote.

The Guardian

The coup followed weeks of public protests against a move by the president to seek a third term in violation of the constitution (though the government's courts denied the illegality).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "illegality" when you want to emphasize the state or quality of being illegal, especially in formal or legal contexts. For example, "The investigation revealed the "illegality" of the company's financial practices."

Common error

Avoid using "illegality" when you mean "illegitimacy", which refers to the status of a child born out of wedlock or something not in accordance with accepted standards or rules. "Illegality" strictly concerns violations of the law.

Linguistic Context

The term "illegality" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state or condition of being illegal or unlawful. As Ludwig highlights, it is used to describe situations or actions that contravene the law, turning an act or condition into one which is not in accordance with legislation or regulation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "illegality" is a noun used to describe the state of being illegal or unlawful. As indicated by Ludwig, its function is to categorize actions violating the law. It commonly appears in news and media contexts, as well as encyclopedia entries. While grammatically sound, remember to differentiate "illegality" from similar terms like "illegitimacy" to ensure accurate communication. Use alternatives such as "unlawfulness" or "criminality" to provide context-specific variations. "Illegality" is a common descriptor in discussions of legality, ethics, and justice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlawfulness

Emphasizes the quality of not being in accordance with the law.

violation of law

Directly points out the act of breaking the law.

lawlessness

Highlights a situation characterized by a disregard for laws and rules.

criminality

Focuses specifically on actions that are considered crimes.

breach of regulations

Specifically refers to the failure to comply with established rules and regulations.

illicitness

Stresses the forbidden nature of an act or situation.

infringement

Focuses on the act of trespassing or violating a right or law.

contraband

Highlights goods that are imported or exported illegally.

transgression

Highlights the act of going beyond legal or moral boundaries.

prohibition

Emphasizes the act of forbidding something by law.

FAQs

How can I use "illegality" in a sentence?

You can use "illegality" to describe a situation or action that is against the law. For example, "The court addressed the "illegality" of the contract." or "The investigation focused on the "illegality" of the activities."

What are some alternatives to using "illegality"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "unlawfulness", "lawlessness", or "criminality". Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance.

What is the difference between "illegality" and "wrongdoing"?

"Illegality" specifically refers to actions that violate the law. "Wrongdoing" is a broader term that can include actions that are morally or ethically wrong, even if they are not strictly illegal.

Is "illegality" the same as "irregularity"?

No, "irregularity" refers to something that deviates from what is standard or expected but isn't necessarily illegal. "Illegality" specifically denotes actions that contravene the law.