law took effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "law took effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a law has officially started to be enforced or applied. Example: "The new environmental regulations were passed last month, and the law took effect immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The law took effect this week.

The New York Times

That law took effect in 1981.

The New York Times

The law took effect Dec. 8.

The New York Times

That law took effect on Monday.

The New York Times

The new law took effect immediately.

The New York Times

This month a law took effect banning drink specials.

The New York Times

The new law took effect on March 30.

The New York Times

The change in the law took effect on July 1.

The New York Times

If the law took effect, she said, "I guess we would order from abroad".

The New York Times

Since the new Colorado law took effect in January, the "drugged driver" panic has only intensified.

Independent

The law took effect in April 2011, with violators facing fines of €150.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "law took effect", ensure that the context clearly indicates which specific law is being referenced and the date or event that triggered its enforcement. This prevents ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "law will take effect" when referring to a law that has already started being enforced; instead, use the past tense "law took effect" or present tense "law is in effect" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "law took effect" functions as a declarative statement indicating the commencement or operationalization of a legal statute. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. For example, "The new law took effect this week."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "law took effect" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that a law has become operational. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to inform the audience about the implementation and activation of a specific legal statute. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. Related phrases include "law came into force" and "law went into effect", offering similar ways to convey the same meaning. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the exact law and the date of its enactment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

law came into force

Replaces "took effect" with "came into force", emphasizing the initiation of legal power.

law went into effect

Uses "went into effect" instead of "took effect", offering a slightly different phrasing of the same concept.

law became operative

Substitutes "took effect" with "became operative", highlighting the functional activation of the law.

law is now in effect

Shifts the focus to the present state of the law being active.

law was implemented

Focuses on the implementation of the law, rather than its effect.

law is now enforceable

Highlights that the law can now be legally enforced.

law has been activated

Emphasizes the activation or triggering of the law's provisions.

law was enacted

Highlights the legislative action of enacting the law, leading to its effectiveness.

law began to apply

Indicates the start of the law's application to relevant situations.

law commenced

Uses "commenced" as a more formal synonym for "began" or "took effect".

FAQs

How is "law took effect" used in a sentence?

The phrase "law took effect" indicates the moment a law became operational or enforceable. For instance, "The new environmental regulations "law took effect" on January 1st, 2025."

What are some alternatives to saying "law took effect"?

You can use phrases such as "law came into force", "law became operative", or "law went into effect" as alternatives to "law took effect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "law will take effect"?

The phrase "law will take effect" is used to refer to a future event, specifically when a law is scheduled to become operational. After it becomes active, ""law took effect"" is then used to describe the past event of the law becoming operational.

What's the difference between "law took effect" and "law is in effect"?

"Law took effect" refers to the specific point in time when the law became operational. In contrast, "law is in effect" indicates that the law is currently operational and enforceable.