legally entitled

USAGE SUMMARY

"legally entitled" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person or group who is legally allowed to receive a certain benefit or privilege. For example, "The families of military veterans are legally entitled to financial aid and access to medical benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Non-dom status is legal and non-doms are legally entitled to donate to political party.

The Telegraph

Look, I'm legally entitled to lobby.

The New York Times

I was just 16 – legally entitled at last to watch an X film.

Independent

As a property owner he is legally entitled to stand for Justice of the Peace.

The New Yorker

"He's taken away fees and expenses we're legally entitled to," he said.

The New York Times

Workers are legally entitled to 20 paid vacation days following one year of employment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prosecutors regularly provide defense lawyers with discovery material that their clients are legally entitled to.

The New York Times

"I was legally entitled to continue the appeal, but I could not risk doing so.

Independent

He meant well, but the child was not legally entitled to be on his plan".

The New York Times - Health

FERC maintains that it was legally entitled to conduct a segmented analysis of the project.

The New York Times

But he added, "We may ask for less than we are legally entitled to".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legally entitled" to precisely indicate that a right or privilege is recognized and protected by law, avoiding ambiguity in formal and legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "legally entitled" when you mean someone is morally or ethically deserving of something. Legal entitlement refers specifically to rights granted by law, not by fairness or good intentions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally entitled" functions primarily as a qualifier, specifying that an individual, group, or entity possesses a right or privilege recognized and protected by law. Ludwig examples show it used in the context of rights related to parental leave, medical care, and financial support.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "legally entitled" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that someone has a right or privilege that is protected by law. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing it across News & Media, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves actual legal rights rather than moral or ethical claims. Alternative phrases such as "have a legal right to" or "entitled by law" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Therefore, using "legally entitled" correctly helps maintain clarity and accuracy in formal and legal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a legal right to

Emphasizes the existence of a legal right to something, differing slightly in its direct focus on the right itself.

entitled by law

Highlights that the entitlement is specifically granted by a law or legal statute.

legally authorized

Focuses on the authorization aspect, implying permission granted through legal means.

have a lawful claim to

Stresses the existence of a legitimate claim that is supported by law.

permitted by law

Indicates that the action or possession is explicitly allowed by legal statutes.

have the right in law

Similar to "have a legal right to", but emphasizes the specific legal basis.

allowed under the law

Highlights the permission granted by the legal system.

officially sanctioned

Focuses on the official approval from a legal or governmental body.

vested with the right

Implies that the right has been formally and securely granted to someone.

warranted by law

Suggests that there is a legal justification or basis for the entitlement.

FAQs

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

You can use "legally entitled" to describe someone who has a right or permission granted by law. For instance, "Citizens are "legally entitled" to due process under the constitution."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "legally entitled"?

Alternatives include phrases like "have a legal right to", "entitled by law", or "legally authorized", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "legally entitled" and "morally entitled"?

"Legally entitled" refers to rights or privileges granted by law, whereas "morally entitled" suggests a belief that someone deserves something based on ethical or moral principles, regardless of legal standing.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "legally entitled"?

The phrase "legally entitled" is appropriate in formal, legal, and professional contexts where it's crucial to emphasize that a right or privilege is recognized and protected by law. This includes legal documents, contracts, and official communications.