legally constrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legally constrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or entity that is restricted or limited by legal regulations or laws. Example: "The company's operations are legally constrained by environmental regulations that limit emissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The European Central Bank is legally constrained in what it can do.

The New Yorker

Trial judges are legally constrained to advise juries with rigorous impartiality.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he predicted future presidents would not feel legally constrained to echo Mr. Obama's request.

The New York Times

They may be legally constrained by nondisclosure agreements from doing anything other than gushing positively.

The Washington Post

The definition has become legally constrained, fraught with multiple interpretations and views.

The New York Times

In absolutely no way has Johnson's liberty to speak out been forcibly curtailed or legally constrained.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Paris did not, in short, legally constrain Mr. Trump from doing the dumb things he wanted to do.

The New York Times

Though the two cases are different, we should notice that Lee, like McLean, intends to highlight considerations that legally constrain action (interference in one case, arrest in the other ) in the face of an assault on an African American.

The New York Times

In terms of the lifecycle emissions of electric vehicles, the energy industry in Europe is constrained by legally binding limits on the total amount of CO2 emitted each year, up to 2020 (EU Emissions Trading Scheme 2009/29/EC).

The Guardian

Whether or not India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will agree to have his country's vital development constrained by a legally binding emissions treaty remains to be seen; it looks very doubtful.

Independent

Investigating a suspect's known associates is an ancient tactic in policing, but it costs money, time, and effort, and it's legally complicated; investigations tend to be constrained by a high threshold of initial suspicion.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legally constrained", clearly specify what entity is constrained and the specific law or regulation causing the constraint to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "legally constrained" without providing context on the specific legal basis. This can mislead the reader and weaken the argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally constrained" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is restricted or limited by legal regulations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. It highlights legal limitations imposed upon entities or actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

24%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "legally constrained" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that an entity or action is limited by legal regulations. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usability in various contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify the legal basis for the constraint to avoid vagueness. While "legally constrained" is a versatile phrase, alternatives such as "bound by law" or "legally obligated" can offer nuanced variations in meaning, as long as they are properly employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bound by law

Emphasizes the obligatory nature of legal requirements.

legally obligated

Focuses on the legal duty to perform a specific action.

restricted by law

Highlights the limitations imposed by legal statutes.

subject to legal limitations

Indicates that certain actions are conditional based on legal boundaries.

governed by legal constraints

Suggests that legal factors dictate and control actions.

legally prohibited

Highlights the forbidden aspect due to legal regulations.

under legal restrictions

Indicates existence of specific legal limitations.

within legal boundaries

Highlights the permissibility of actions, if within legal confines.

circumscribed by law

Focuses on the detailed and precise limitations set by the legal framework.

legally limited

Highlights the fact that something has legal upper bounds.

FAQs

How can I use "legally constrained" in a sentence?

You can use "legally constrained" to describe actions, entities, or organizations that are limited by laws or regulations. For example, "The company is legally constrained by environmental regulations".

What's a formal alternative to "legally constrained"?

Formal alternatives include "bound by law", "legally obligated", or "restricted by law". These options provide a similar meaning with a professional tone.

Is it better to say "legally constrained" or "legally restricted"?

Both "legally constrained" and "legally restricted" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. "Legally constrained" often implies a more general limitation, while "legally restricted" may suggest a specific, defined restriction.

Can individuals be "legally constrained"?

Yes, individuals can be "legally constrained". For example, a person might be legally constrained by a court order or a non-disclosure agreement. The phrase indicates that their actions are limited by legal requirements.