legally forbidden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legally forbidden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are prohibited by law. Example: "The sale of certain drugs is legally forbidden in many countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Until six years ago Japanese companies were legally forbidden to buy back shares, but buybacks there are legal now and are slowly gaining acceptance.

Forbes

Until six years ago Japanese companies were legally forbidden to buy back shares, but buybacks there are now legal and are slowly gaining acceptance.

Forbes

THE candidates in Mexico's presidential election are legally forbidden to campaign until March 30th.

The Economist

Although they paid generous child support, they were each legally forbidden from bringing their children to the new home.

The New Yorker

But these councils are legally forbidden from getting involved in wage deals, which is why the union wants to get involved.

The New York Times

Whether the sick leave is paid or unpaid, companies will be legally forbidden from firing workers for taking such time off.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The pressure from them to the German regulatory bodies to find an angle, any angle, in the media law in order to legally forbid the programme, was enormous.

The Guardian

Since the mid 1980s the Ahmadi community has been headquartered in Morden, south London, after their leaders were forced to flee Pakistan, the only country in the world that legally forbids them from declaring themselves Muslims.

Independent

But do these rules - "you can't legally forbid a witness from disclosing grand jury information if he wants to" - go far enough?

Huffington Post

However, most of them cannot be written down, because they have been securitized (sold off to investors) in complicated trust arrangements that legally forbid renegotiation, even if all the parties could be found and brought to agreement.

Huffington Post

Second, the Commonwealth legally forbids the surveillance program from reporting any results to the municipal fire departments who are the firefighters' primary employers.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legally forbidden", ensure the context clearly indicates which law or legal jurisdiction is being referenced. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "legally forbidden" when describing actions that are merely morally objectionable but not actually illegal. This can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally forbidden" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something is prohibited by law. It specifies the legal status of an action, object, or behavior, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legally forbidden" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate that something is prohibited by law. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as an adjective phrase with a neutral to professional register, often appearing in news, science, and legal contexts. Related phrases include "prohibited by law" and "against the law". When using the phrase, clarity about the specific legal context is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Legally prohibited

A direct synonym, emphasizing the legal aspect of the prohibition.

Prohibited by law

A more direct and formal alternative, focusing on the law as the source of prohibition.

Not permitted by law

Emphasizes the lack of legal permission.

Against the law

A simpler, more common way to express the same concept, emphasizing the conflict with the law.

Unauthorized by law

Similar to 'not permitted,' but focuses on the lack of authorization.

Unlawful

A single-word adjective indicating illegality.

Illicit

Similar to unlawful, often used for activities or goods.

Banned by law

Highlights the act of banning, with law as the authority.

Forbidden by statute

A more formal alternative, specifying 'statute' as the type of law.

Outlawed

A concise term for something made illegal.

FAQs

What does "legally forbidden" mean?

It means that something is prohibited by law and is therefore illegal.

What can I say instead of "legally forbidden"?

You can use alternatives like "prohibited by law", "against the law", or "legally prohibited".

Is it correct to say "morally forbidden" and "legally forbidden"?

Yes, "morally forbidden" refers to actions considered wrong according to ethics or societal norms, while "legally forbidden" means actions are prohibited by law. They address different aspects of permissibility.

How is "legally forbidden" different from "socially unacceptable"?

"Legally forbidden" refers to what the law prohibits, whereas "socially unacceptable" describes behaviors that, while not necessarily illegal, are considered inappropriate by society.