in force since

USAGE SUMMARY

"in force since" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase when referring to a law, rule, policy, or other regulation that has been in effect since a certain date or time. For example: "The landlord-tenant law has been in force since 2013."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Emission level laws have been in force since 2005.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

Independent

THE pollsters have been out in force since the local elections on May 4th.

The Economist

This "oil for food" program has been in force since 1996.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

Kosovo also dropped its trade embargo against Serbian goods in force since the border violence in July.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Japan is a signatory to the International Whaling Commission's moratorium in force since 1986.

The Guardian

New rules on pensions in force since April 2015 are likely to see more money come in to the sector.

The Guardian - Money

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

The New York Times

In force since 1974, the MFA set up a quota system that provided some security for textile producers.

The Guardian - Business

The problem is that the EU already has a free-trade deal with South Korea – in force since 2011.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in force since", ensure the subject is a rule, law, regulation, or agreement. For instance, "The new safety regulations have been in force since January 1, 2024."

Common error

Avoid using "in force since" with subjects that are not rules or regulations. For example, it's incorrect to say "The company has been in force since 2000"; instead, use "The company has been operating since 2000."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in force since" acts as a prepositional modifier, indicating the starting point from which a rule, law, agreement, or policy has been active and continuously valid. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in force since" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate when a rule, law, or agreement has been active and continuously valid. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. To ensure clarity, use this phrase when referencing specific start dates for regulations, policies, or agreements. Alternatives like "effective from" or "valid since" can be used depending on the specific emphasis required. Ensure the subject is a rule or regulation, and avoid using it with entities like companies or organizations, as this would be grammatically incorrect. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "in force since" to convey temporal validity in various professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in effect since

Similar to the original phrase, but with a slight shift in wording.

has been in effect since

Adds emphasis on the duration of the state being in effect

effective from

Focuses on the start date of effectiveness, rather than the continuous state.

valid since

Emphasizes the ongoing validity from a particular point forward.

has been valid from

Indicates that something has met the requirements to be considered legitimate or acceptable from a particular time.

applicable since

Implies something is relevant and can be applied from a particular time onwards.

operative since

A more formal synonym, stressing the functional operation from a specific time.

implemented since

Highlights the action of putting something into effect and its continuation from a specific date.

running from

Emphasizes the continuous nature of a system or process from a starting point.

commenced in

Focuses on the beginning or start date, suitable for describing initiatives or projects.

FAQs

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

Use "in force since" to indicate when a rule, law, or agreement has been active. Example: "The trade embargo has been in force since 2010."

What's a synonym for "in force since"?

Alternatives include "effective from", "valid since", or "in effect since".

Is it correct to say "in effect since" instead of "in force since"?

Yes, "in effect since" is a valid alternative with similar meaning.

What is the difference between "in force since" and "established since"?

"In force since" is used for rules and regulations, while "established since" refers to organizations or institutions. For example, "The law has been in force since 2005" versus "The company was established since 1990."