legally required

USAGE SUMMARY

"legally required" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is legally mandated, usually by the government. For example, "The company needs to pay their taxes as they are legally required to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The union is not only legal, it's legally required," he said he told fellow workers.

The New York Times

But on stag hunts it's legally required.

The Guardian

They don't think it should be legally required.

The Guardian

He says he wears a helmet "when it's legally required".

The New York Times

Mrs. Thomas is not legally required to disclose the donors.

The New York Times

Health Information Systems (HIS) are legally required to adhere to these policies.

Science of Computer Programming

The shops are legally required to stand by whatever policy they quote.

The Guardian - Money

The couple had given 15 days' notice of marriage, as is legally required.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's also possible that such a plebiscite is already legally required.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is no clear national standard to say what kinds of ballot access are legally required.

The New Yorker

Last summer, schools became legally required to prevent pupils being drawn into terrorism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legally required", clearly specify what entity or action is subject to the legal requirement to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who is "legally required" to do what.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something is "legally required" in one jurisdiction, it is universally mandated. Always verify the specific legal framework applicable to the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally required" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something is mandated or compelled by law. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard grammatical structure, used to describe duties, obligations, or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legally required" is a commonly used phrase that functions as an adjective modifying a noun, indicating a mandate by law. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its primary purpose is to emphasize that a certain action or standard is not optional but compulsory under the legal system. Predominantly found in news media, scientific, and formal business contexts, the phrase conveys a sense of legal obligation and compliance. While alternatives like "mandated by law" or "required by law" exist, "legally required" remains a straightforward and widely understood expression for denoting legally enforced duties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mandated by law

Emphasizes the legal authority behind the requirement.

required by law

Similar to "legally required", but with a slightly more formal tone.

legally obliged

Focuses on the binding legal duty to perform an action.

under legal obligation

Stresses the existence of a binding legal duty.

statutorily obligated

More formal and specific, highlighting a requirement originating from a statute.

compulsory under law

Highlights the enforced nature of the legal requirement.

prescribed by law

Highlights that the requirement is specifically outlined or detailed in law.

enjoined by law

Indicates a formal legal instruction or order.

a legal necessity

Emphasizes the indispensability of the action under the law.

judicially compelled

Focuses on requirements imposed by a court or judicial body.

FAQs

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

You can use "legally required" to describe actions or obligations mandated by law, such as, "The company is "legally required" to disclose its financial information annually."

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

Alternatives include phrases such as "mandated by law", "required by law", or "statutorily obligated". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "legally required" or should I use another phrase?

"Legally required" is a correct and commonly used phrase. Its suitability depends on the context, but it is generally acceptable in both formal and informal settings. Consider alternatives for stylistic variation.

What's the difference between "legally required" and "ethically required"?

"Legally required" refers to actions or obligations mandated by law, whereas "ethically required" refers to actions that are considered morally right or obligatory, even if not legally enforced. Something can be ethically required but not "legally required", and vice versa.