legally significant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legally significant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to describe something that has importance or relevance under the law. Example: "The court found that the defendant's actions were not legally significant in determining liability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Interpretivism about law offers a philosophical explanation of how institutional practice the legally significant action and practices of political institutions modifies legal rights and obligations.

SEP

This record of violation is legally significant.

The New York Times

Other judges have acknowledged the distinction but found it legally significant.

The New York Times

I did ride my bike by her apartment building one evening, but I didn't stay for any legally significant amount of time.

The New York Times

Such steps could be revealing and potentially legally significant as evidence that the killings were premeditated and not the spontaneous outburst of a mentally impaired malcontent.

The New York Times

In its response to that filing, the United States attorney's office in Manhattan says the excerpts cited by the defense are piecemeal, sometimes taken out of context and not legally significant.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

With a bit of planning, tax lawyers say, most families can legally shelter significant portions of their estates.

The New York Times

They said that developers like Mr. Macklowe "legally ceded significant rights" in agreeing to the public spaces, including the "right to exclude others".

The New York Times

Hunters will be able to import some trophies and animal parts into the U.S., but these lions will fall under new restrictions in the Endangered Species Act to ensure all animals are obtained legally without significant impact on wild populations.

Huffington Post

Throughout Allison's testimony, the panel members pushed him to admit that there are certain financial institutions, like Citibank, that are legally considered "systemically significant," and that the government has guaranteed them against failure.

The New Yorker

Their proposal not only failed to commit to the total elimination of export subsidies, as it should have done, given that these subsidies constitute outright dumping, but it also aimed to introduce provisions allowing them to legally perpetuate a significant part of their worst protectionist practices.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legally significant", ensure that the context clearly establishes the legal domain to which the significance pertains. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the precision of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "legally significant" when the issue is merely relevant in a general sense. It should be reserved for situations where the legal implications are direct and substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally significant" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun has importance or relevance under the law. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legally significant" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that denotes something important or consequential under the law. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It appears frequently in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. For more informal communication, alternatives like "legally relevant" or "of legal importance" may be suitable. When using this phrase, ensure that the legal context is clear and the significance is direct and substantial to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legally relevant

Focuses on the pertinence of something to a legal matter.

of legal importance

Highlights the weight and consequence in law.

material to the case

Emphasizes the direct impact on a legal proceeding.

legally consequential

Stresses the resulting legal effects.

juridically important

Uses a more formal term for the field of law.

pertinent under the law

Highlights relevance according to legal standards.

legally weighty

Implies a substantial legal consideration.

of legal bearing

Focuses on the influence within the legal framework.

legally decisive

Suggests an ultimate determining factor in law.

legally critical

Emphasizes the necessity and crucial aspect in legal terms.

FAQs

What does "legally significant" mean?

The term "legally significant" refers to something that is important or has consequences under the law. It suggests that a particular fact, event, or action can have a direct impact on a legal decision or outcome.

How to use "legally significant" in a sentence?

Example: "The evidence presented was "legally significant" because it proved the defendant's intent."

What can I say instead of "legally significant"?

You can use alternatives like "legally relevant", "of legal importance", or "material to the case" depending on the context.

What makes evidence "legally significant"?

Evidence is "legally significant" when it is directly related to a key element of a legal claim or defense. Its presence or absence could reasonably affect the outcome of a case.