legal force

USAGE SUMMARY

"legal force" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the power of law, either in a specific context or in a more general sense. For example, "The ruling was backed by legal force, making it legally binding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has legal force.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has little if any legal force".

The Guardian - Business

However, the guidelines have no legal force.

The Guardian

The charter is given legal force by Lisbon.

The Economist

They are creating a moral force beyond a legal force".

The New York Times

A formal Charter of Fundamental Rights was incorporated into the constitution and given legal force.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Besides being axioms of government, the guarantees in the Bill of Rights have binding legal force.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Europe needs Japan to ratify the pact for it to come into legal force.

The Economist

But there's no legal force behind that, so it's more like a "suggested contribution".

The New Yorker

The contracts have no legal force, but seem to have worked.

The Economist

The racist provisions have no legal force, having been amended away.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international agreements, specify the conditions under which they gain "legal force", such as ratification by a certain number of countries.

Common error

Avoid using "legal force" when you actually mean moral influence or persuasive power. "Legal force" specifically refers to the enforceable power of the law.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legal force" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, indicating the power or authority that a law, rule, or agreement possesses to be enforced. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legal force" is a common and correct way to describe the enforceable power of laws, agreements, and regulations. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When using "legal force", it's important to distinguish it from similar concepts like moral influence, focusing instead on its binding and enforceable nature. Alternative phrases like "binding authority" or "lawful authority" can be used to convey similar meanings depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lawful authority

Similar to "legal force", but puts slightly more emphasis on the legitimacy of the authority.

binding authority

Emphasizes the power to compel action or adherence under the law.

judicial power

Focuses on the authority derived from the courts and the legal system.

enforcement power

Highlights the ability to enforce laws and regulations.

statutory authority

Highlights the authority specifically granted by statutes or legislation.

legislative authority

Refers to the power to enact laws and regulations.

official mandate

Implies a formal authorization or command with legal implications.

coercive power of law

Emphasizes the power of the legal system to compel behavior through sanctions.

regulatory power

Focuses on the authority to regulate activities or industries.

legal validity

Focuses on whether something is legally recognized and enforceable.

FAQs

How is "legal force" used in a sentence?

You can use "legal force" to describe when a law, agreement, or ruling becomes enforceable. For example, "The new regulations will have "legal force" once they are published in the official gazette."

What's the difference between "legal force" and "moral force"?

"Legal force" refers to the power of laws and regulations to compel behavior, while "moral force" is the influence of ethical principles or social pressure. Something with "legal force" is enforceable by law, whereas something with "moral force" is persuasive but not legally binding.

What can I say instead of "legal force"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "binding authority", "statutory authority", or "lawful authority" to convey the same general meaning.

When does an international treaty gain "legal force"?

An international treaty typically gains "legal force" when a specified number of countries have ratified it, as outlined in the treaty's provisions. Without ratification, the treaty may express intent but is not legally binding on the signatories.