legally required to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legally required to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing obligations or duties that are mandated by law. Example: "All employers are legally required to provide a safe working environment for their employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

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

The Guardian

"Vodafone does not disclose any customer data in any jurisdiction unless legally required to do so.

The Guardian - Business

All employers are legally required to pay employees' NICs, as well as processing employee deductions.

The Guardian - Money

Colleges are legally required to ensure equal opportunity for academically qualified students.

The New York Times

But they're legally required to make reasonable adjustments to the course for medical reasons.

The Guardian

Super PACs are legally required to stay independent of a candidate's campaign.

The New Yorker

And I'm legally required to contact my parole officer every two weeks.

The New Yorker

No department store is legally required to provide the same safeguards as are the police.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legally required to", ensure you can cite the specific law, regulation, or legal precedent that establishes the requirement. Avoid using it loosely to describe ethical or moral obligations.

Common error

Avoid using "legally required to" when describing actions that are ethically advisable but not mandated by law. Confusing the two can lead to misunderstandings about actual legal liabilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally required to" functions as a modal adjunct, modifying a verb to express obligation or necessity imposed by law. This is consistently supported by Ludwig AI and its examples, indicating that something is not optional but demanded by legal standards.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "legally required to" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to denote actions or obligations mandated by law. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to clearly state a legal duty, often found in news, academic, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure accuracy and be prepared to cite the specific legal basis. Alternatives like "mandated by law to" or "obligated by law to" can provide similar meanings with slight nuances. Remember to avoid confusing legal requirements with ethical recommendations to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mandated by law to

Emphasizes the legal authority behind the requirement.

Obligated by law to

Highlights the legal duty or responsibility involved.

Required under the law to

Directly states the requirement stems from legal statutes.

Under legal obligation to

Emphasizes the existence of a legal obligation.

Bound by law to

Suggests a binding legal agreement or commitment.

Statutorily obliged to

A more formal way of saying legally obligated, emphasizing statutory law.

Compelled by law to

Indicates a stronger sense of legal force or pressure.

Enjoined by law to

A formal term suggesting a legal order or injunction.

It is your legal duty to

Highlights personal responsibility as enforced by law.

Must comply with legal requirements to

Focuses on the act of complying with existing regulations.

FAQs

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

Use "legally required to" when indicating an obligation enforced by law, such as "All businesses are "legally required to" pay employment taxes".

What are some alternatives to "legally required to"?

Alternatives include "mandated by law to", "obligated by law to", or "required under the law to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "ethically required to" instead of "legally required to"?

While both phrases indicate a need to act, "ethically required to" refers to moral obligations, whereas ""legally required to"" refers to actions mandated by law. They are not interchangeable.

What is the difference between "legally required to" and "strongly advised to"?

"Legally required to" implies a mandatory action with legal consequences for non-compliance, whereas "strongly advised to" suggests a recommended action without legal penalties.