line of law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "line of law" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific legal principle, doctrine, or area of law that guides legal reasoning or decision-making. Example: "The judge's ruling was based on a well-established line of law regarding property rights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Ms. Hargitay is the latest in a long line of "Law and Order" women -- Bond girls, as it were, for the thinking set.

The New York Times

His character, Paul Blart, is a rotund shopping mall security guard with a moustache and a clip-on tie who roves around on a two-wheeled electric scooter, imagining that he's on the front line of law enforcement.

Independent

Largely because the camera can pull us near to human mouths, and to the foulness that issues forth; the movie, scruffy and unfocussed in its first minutes, gets going as we follow a hungry rabble toward a grain depot, guarded by a line of law enforcement.

The New Yorker

It added that Sina.com "overstepped the red line of law… and it must be punished in accordance with laws".

TechCrunch

Typically, the rabbis dispute its philosophical meaning since it could be literally understood as either "within the line of law" or — as it is more often understood — "beyond the line of law".

SEP

For the twenty-six states in Brazil, each has a Military Police agency (Policia Militar) that acts as both the front line of law enforcement and the agency that responds to incidents of crime.

Crime Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It is just the latest in a long line of laws to reduce smoking rates.

BBC

We stared at a line of law-imposing faces, wondering if this was our lives for the next few hours.

Vice

NBC said on Friday that the themes and story lines of "Law & Order" would be evident in the Los Angeles series.

The New York Times

In the brief encounter between this officer and this child, they became more alike one another than we might initially realize ― the blue lines of law enforcement and Autism blurred, resulting in an unfortunate incident born from misunderstanding.

Huffington Post

The upshot of these collective lines of laws and codes shape what we are.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "line of law", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a legal boundary, a principle, or the enforcement aspect of the law. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "line of law" when you intend to refer to a specific statute or regulation. "Line of law" is more appropriate for describing general principles or boundaries rather than concrete legal instruments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "line of law" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates it is used to denote a legal boundary, principle, or area where law is applied, or potentially overstepped.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "line of law" is grammatically sound and functions as a noun phrase to denote a legal boundary, principle, or area of enforcement. Ludwig AI confirms that while its usage is not pervasive, it appears in a range of authoritative sources, including news media and scientific publications. Its primary purpose is to define the limits of legal permissibility and is generally considered to be of a neutral to professional register. The phrase is most often found in News & Media sources. Be mindful of the subtle distinctions between "line of law" and related phrases such as "rule of law" or "legal principle" to ensure accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

red line of the law

Specifically refers to an inviolable boundary set by law.

legal boundary

Focuses on the boundary aspect, omitting the specific reference to law.

legal principle

Highlights the underlying principle, rather than the boundary or enforcement aspect.

legal limit

Highlights the maximum extent allowed by law.

limit of legality

Emphasizes the constraint imposed by the law.

front line of enforcement

Focuses on the active enforcement aspect of law.

legal doctrine

Focuses on established legal principles and theories.

rule of law

Refers to the general principle that all people are subject to and accountable under the law.

scope of the law

Emphasizes the range and extent to which a law applies.

legal framework

Refers to the structure and principles of a legal system.

FAQs

How can I use "line of law" in a sentence?

You can use "line of law" to refer to the boundary of legal permissibility, as in, "The company's actions were close to the "line of law", but did not cross it".

What's a similar phrase to "line of law"?

Alternatives to "line of law" include "legal principle", "legal boundary", or "limit of legality", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "line of law" the same as "rule of law"?

No, "line of law" typically refers to a specific boundary or principle within the legal system, while "rule of law" refers to the overarching principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to the law.

When is it appropriate to use "line of law"?

"Line of law" is appropriate when discussing the limits of legal action, such as whether a particular behavior is within or outside the bounds defined by laws and regulations. It's used to describe where legal permissibility ends and illegality begins.