illegally written

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illegally written" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been composed or created in a manner that violates laws or regulations. Example: "The document was deemed invalid because it was illegally written, lacking the necessary signatures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

More than a decade later, McLanahan saw Ghost Protocol and "immediately recognised that the scripts for this movie had been illegally written and produced from Head On's 1998 copyright".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Player agents in Major League Baseball referred clients to a doctor in California who illegally wrote prescriptions for performance-enhancing drugs, according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday by federal authorities.

The New York Times - Sports

Ramon Scruggs, a California-based doctor, was indicted last year on charges he illegally wrote prescriptions to patients — including major league baseball players — for performance-enhancing drugs.

The New York Times - Sports

A California-based doctor who provided Major League Baseball players with performance-enhancing drugs pleaded guilty Monday to a charge that he illegally wrote prescriptions to patients.

The New York Times - Sports

"All I'm saying is that maybe, just maybe there is reason why certain cars are parked illegally," wrote "bklyncop1" on Monday.

The New York Times

Last month, the authorities indicted a California-based doctor who, the authorities alleged, illegally wrote prescriptions to baseball players for performance-enhancing drugs.

The New York Times - Sports

The accounts of Glaus, Schoeneweis, catcher Todd Greene and pitcher Ismael Valdez were written by federal agents who interviewed the players as they gathered evidence in the case of Ramon Scruggs, an anti-aging doctor who was indicted last year on charges that he illegally wrote prescriptions for steroids and human growth hormone to the players, business executives, police officers and others.

The New York Times - Sports

Prosecutors at the United States attorney's office for the Northern District of California are investigating a California doctor to determine whether he illegally wrote prescriptions for patients, including major league baseball players, according to three lawyers who have been briefed on the investigation.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're quicker to prosecute those who denounce the illegal behaviour of fundamentalists … than to prosecute the fundamentalists behaving illegally," she wrote.

The Guardian

Bronx-Lebanon also said Dr. Wiznia used its records illegally in writing his patients of the move, and left them little choice but to go with him.

The New York Times

Ms. Farnan fell in love with Mr. Kallman's father, Eddie, and married him -- "somewhat illegally," she wrote in her book -- in 1948.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illegally written", ensure the context clearly establishes what law or regulation was violated during the writing or creation process. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "illegally written" as a vague accusation. Always specify the legal basis for the claim. Instead of saying "The contract was illegally written", state: "The contract was illegally written because it lacked the required notarization."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illegally written" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a past participle. It describes the manner in which something was written, specifically indicating a violation of the law during its creation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "illegally written" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a written work that violates laws during its creation. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not overly common, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify which law or regulation was violated. Alternatives like "unlawfully composed" or "illegitimate script" may be suitable depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Always provide context to avoid overgeneralization and ensure your claim is legally sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illegally drafted

Similar to illegally written, focusing on the drafting process.

unlawfully composed

Focuses on the illegal act of creating the written content.

illegitimate script

Emphasizes the invalid or unauthorized nature of the writing.

illicitly authored

Emphasizes the unlawful or immoral nature of the authorship.

forged text

Highlights the act of creating a false or deceptive written piece.

illegally produced document

Focuses on the unlawful production of a formal written piece.

unauthorized manuscript

Highlights the lack of permission or approval for the written work.

contraband text

Highlights the illegal nature of the written content itself, suggesting it's forbidden.

unlicensed publication

Focuses on the lack of legal permission to publish the written material.

smuggled manuscript

Implies the written material was secretly and illegally transported.

FAQs

How can I use "illegally written" in a sentence?

You can use "illegally written" to describe documents or scripts that violate laws during their creation. For example, "The contract was deemed invalid because it was illegally written, lacking the necessary signatures".

What are some alternatives to "illegally written"?

Alternatives include "unlawfully composed", "illegitimate script", or "forged text" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something was "illegally written"?

Yes, the phrase "illegally written" is grammatically correct and understandable. However, ensure the context clearly defines which law was broken. See "illegally drafted" for a similar option.

What is the difference between "illegally written" and "poorly written"?

"Illegally written" refers to a violation of the law in the creation of the document, whereas "poorly written" refers to the quality of the writing itself, such as grammar, clarity, or style. One pertains to legality, and the other to craftsmanship.