legally permissible

USAGE SUMMARY

'legally permissible' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is allowed by law. For example, "The court decided that the action was legally permissible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Gonzales said he would use that legal framework to decide whether intercepting purely domestic communications without a warrant was legally permissible.

The New York Times

"It's legally permissible".

The New York Times

This amount was three thousand times larger than the maximum legally permissible direct contribution.

The New Yorker

"An action may be legally permissible but neither advisable nor wise," Mr. Panetta said.

The New York Times

Even if this bias is found to be legally permissible, it may still prove politically unpalatable.

The New York Times

"An action may be legally permissible but neither advisable nor wise," he said.

The New York Times

We were going to do what was morally, ethically, and legally permissible".

The New Yorker

Manning's plea; the court simply has to determine that the plea is legally permissible.

The New York Times

This week, Sotheby's pulled off on several occasions this common trick, which is legally permissible.

The New York Times - Arts

The court found his rhetoric was "on the edge of what is legally permissible".

The Guardian

Actions not proscribed by legislation are just that: legally permissible rather than morally unimpeachable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethical considerations, clarify that something being "legally permissible" doesn't automatically make it morally right. Acknowledge that ethics and legality aren't always aligned.

Common error

Avoid equating "legally permissible" with ethical or moral correctness. Just because an action is legal does not mean it is necessarily the right thing to do. Always consider the ethical implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally permissible" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something is allowed or not prohibited by law. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

36%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legally permissible" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote that an action or situation is in accordance with the law. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media, and science. While synonymous with terms like "legal" or "lawful", it provides a specific emphasis on the legality of the matter. When using this phrase, remember that legal permissibility does not automatically equate to ethical soundness, and consider the broader implications of your word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lawful

A more concise synonym emphasizing adherence to the law.

legal

A shorter synonym emphasizing conformity with the law.

within the law

Emphasizes the action's confinement inside legal boundaries.

allowed by law

Focuses on the law's explicit allowance of something.

legitimate

Indicates authenticity and compliance with accepted standards, including legal ones.

permissible under the law

Reorders the phrase for a slightly different emphasis.

in accordance with the law

Highlights the alignment with legal standards.

authorized by law

Implies formal approval or permission from a legal authority.

not prohibited by law

Focuses on the absence of legal restrictions.

sanctioned by law

Suggests a formal endorsement or approval by legal means.

FAQs

What does "legally permissible" mean?

The term "legally permissible" means something is allowed by law or does not violate any laws or regulations. It indicates that an action, behavior, or situation is within the boundaries of what is legal.

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

You can use "legally permissible" to describe actions or situations that are in accordance with the law. For example, "The company's actions were "within the law" and therefore legally permissible".

Are "legal", "lawful", and "legally permissible" interchangeable?

While "legal" and "lawful" are close synonyms, "legally permissible" provides a more explicit emphasis on the action or situation being allowed by law. Using "legal" or "lawful" might be sufficient in many cases, but "legally permissible" makes the legality aspect clearer.

What is the difference between "legally permissible" and "morally acceptable"?

"Legally permissible" refers to actions allowed by law, whereas "morally acceptable" pertains to actions considered ethically right. An action can be "legally permissible" but not morally acceptable, and vice versa. Consider that something "within the law" might still raise ethical concerns.