legally tenable

USAGE SUMMARY

"legally tenable" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something that is considered within the bounds of the law. For example, "The company has taken a stance on the issue that is both acceptable to stakeholders and legally tenable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A district court's ruling that a litigant's position is factually well grounded and legally tenable for Rule 11 purposes is similarly fact specific.

Cornell University

Given these facts, the White House made the common sense (and legally tenable) decision to try Tsarnaev in criminal court as a civilian.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. McConnell's view — that the statute does, indeed, authorize bulk metadata collection — was legally tenable, barely, before the 2nd Circuit's opinion.

The Washington Post

Even if a district court indicated that a complaint was not legally tenable or factually well founded for Rule 11 purposes, the resulting Rule 11 sanction would nevertheless not preclude the refiling of a complaint.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The theory, which once won a qualified approval, that a tax on income is legally or economically a tax on its source, is no longer tenable, New York ex rel.

Cornell University

But is it tenable?

The Guardian

Is the distinction tenable?

The New Yorker

Which solutions are tenable?

Harvard University

This is no longer tenable.

The Guardian

His position is not tenable.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the prospect seems tenable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legally tenable", ensure the context clearly relates to legal justification or sustainability. For instance, use it when discussing a strategy's compliance with regulations or a position's defensibility in court.

Common error

Avoid using "legally tenable" when you mean something is morally acceptable. "Legally tenable" specifically refers to the legal aspect, not ethical considerations. Something can be legal but not ethical, and vice versa.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally tenable" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is justifiable or sustainable from a legal standpoint. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "legally tenable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that something is justifiable under the law. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although examples of its usage are relatively rare, it is mainly used in "news & media" and "academic" contexts. Related phrases include "legally defensible" and "legally justifiable", but it is important not to confuse it with "morally tenable". When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the legal basis and avoid using it to describe ethical considerations. Sources like The Guardian and Cornell University provide authoritative examples of its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legally sound

This alternative means the same but sounds a little bit more formal.

legally permissible

This alternative means the same, it emphasizes the ability to be permitted in a legal context.

legally sustainable

This alternative emphasizes the long-term viability from a legal perspective.

legally defensible

This focuses on the ability to protect the position in a legal challenge.

legally justifiable

This implies that there is a sound legal basis for the action or decision.

within legal bounds

This alternative uses a more general term to indicate compliance with laws.

permitted by law

This phrases highlights legal permission or authorization.

allowable under the law

This alternative focuses on what the law permits or allows.

in accordance with the law

This emphasizes adherence to legal standards and regulations.

consistent with legal requirements

This alternative stresses the alignment with legal mandates.

FAQs

How to use "legally tenable" in a sentence?

You can use "legally tenable" to describe a position, argument, or action that is justifiable under the law. For example: "The company's argument was "legally tenable", even if ethically questionable."

What can I say instead of "legally tenable"?

You can use alternatives like "legally sound", "legally defensible", or "legally justifiable" depending on the context.

Is "legally tenable" the same as "morally tenable"?

No, "legally tenable" refers to something that is justifiable under the law, while "morally tenable" refers to something that is ethically justifiable. They are not interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use the term "legally tenable"?

Use "legally tenable" when discussing whether a position, argument, or action can be supported by existing laws and legal precedents. It's appropriate in legal, business, and academic contexts.