it criminalises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it criminalises" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing laws or regulations that make certain actions illegal. Example: "The new legislation criminalises the act of driving without a valid license."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

They say that the law already protects people from forced marriage because it criminalises its components – such as kidnapping, assault and false imprisonment.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the very best it contains and suppresses it, at worst it criminalises poverty and brutalises its victims.

The Guardian - Opinion

Second, it criminalises acts that need not be criminalised.

The Economist

It criminalises everything".

The Guardian - Opinion

It criminalises opposition and uses brutal force to quell it.

The Guardian - Books

It criminalises the publication without prior authorisation of classified material.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

It also criminalises registering gay clubs or organisations, as well as "public show of  same-sex amorous relationships".

Independent

Studies have repeatedly shown that stop and search has no impact on knife crime and serious violence, it selectively criminalises black people and those from other minority groups for offences that are largely ignored in other contexts.

The Guardian

According to him, the ban only came about because of pressure from the US, and it unnecessarily criminalises minority groups.

Vice

We have requested a fundamental review of joint enterprise, and have submitted case studies to show how it over-criminalises secondary parties – especially in murder cases.

The Guardian

After voters in two states approved the possession and consumption of marijuana in referendums earlier this week, the question arises: what about the conflict with federal law that still criminalises it?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it criminalises", ensure the subject 'it' clearly refers to a specific law, regulation, or action. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it criminalises" when the 'it' is not clearly defined. Instead of saying, "The situation is bad, it criminalises everything", specify what 'it' refers to, like, "The new law criminalises all forms of protest."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it criminalises" functions as a predicate in a sentence, asserting that something (represented by 'it') makes a specific action or behavior illegal. Ludwig AI shows its use in legal and political contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it criminalises" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something makes an action illegal. According to Ludwig, its usage is most frequent in news and media and formal business contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "it makes illegal" or "it prohibits" exist, ensuring clarity in pronoun reference is key for effective communication. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for discussing legal and political matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it makes illegal

Replaces "criminalises" with a more direct and simple phrase.

it prohibits

Focuses on the act of forbidding something, implying legal consequences.

it outlaws

Implies a strong legal prohibition, making something formally illegal.

it bans

A more informal way of saying it prohibits or outlaws something.

it renders illegal

A more formal and emphatic way of stating that something becomes illegal.

it makes unlawful

Similar to "it makes illegal", but with a slightly more formal tone.

it proscribes

A more formal and less common synonym for prohibits.

it subjects to criminal penalties

Focuses on the consequences of breaking the law, rather than the act of making it illegal.

it carries criminal sanctions

Highlights the punitive aspect of the law.

it is against the law

Expresses the illegality of something in a more indirect way.

FAQs

What does "it criminalises" mean?

The phrase "it criminalises" means that something, typically a law or regulation, makes a particular action or behavior illegal and punishable by law.

How to use "it criminalises" in a sentence?

You can use "it criminalises" in a sentence like this: "The new legislation "it criminalises" the act of driving without a valid license.

What can I say instead of "it criminalises"?

You can use alternatives like "it makes illegal", "it prohibits", or "it outlaws" depending on the context.

Is "it criminalizes" (with a 'z') also correct?

Yes, "it criminalizes" is the American English spelling of the phrase. Both spellings, "it criminalises" (British English) and "it criminalizes" (American English), are correct, but consistency within a document is important.