loopholes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loopholes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to ambiguities or gaps in laws, rules, or regulations that allow individuals or organizations to avoid compliance or gain an advantage. Example: "The company exploited several loopholes in the tax code to minimize their tax liability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We know that it is not true that tax havens and other loopholes make it impossible to monitor international financial transactions, because when the world's authorities wanted to check the flow of finances funding terrorism they were able to move effectively.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is also proposing that the government can add $2bn to its coffers by closing loopholes on multinational tax avoidance, such as changing guidelines on what can be classified as company assets, and allowing the Tax Office to have greater oversight over big international firms.

The Guardian

The Prime Minister, in his address to the nation promised tightening of the laws to "ensure that there are no loopholes available to the terrorists.

The Guardian

Republicans also want to pursue tax-evaders, close loopholes, and enforce the tax code.

The Guardian - Opinion

"While the Chinese government is starting to eliminate some of the most destructive fishing practices in its own waters, the loopholes in existing policies lead to a double standard in Africa," Ahmed Diame, a Greenpeace Africa ocean campaigner, said in a statement.

The Guardian

A new procurement law scraped through the corrupt old parliament and removes the loopholes that allowed the annual $15bn to be stolen.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said Malawians would be interested to know how much the president knew about the looting, which her government has blamed on loopholes in the payment system.

The Guardian

Apart from closing loopholes Miliband's proposals included making newcomers learn English.

The Guardian

Cameron will only create a whole pile of bureaucracy that will affect everyone in the UK, cost the taxpayer millions and will still be riddled with loopholes and therefore totally ineffective.

The Guardian

But Boehner then went on to say that, unlike Barack Obama and the Democrats, he does not favour raising taxes on the wealthy and that removing some loopholes and cleaning up the tax code would do the trick.

The Guardian

And there are numerous licensed gangmasters who violate the rules and exploit the loopholes".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "loopholes", be specific about the context (e.g., tax, legal, regulatory) to enhance clarity. This helps the reader understand the precise area where the ambiguity or gap exists.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the effects of "loopholes" without providing specific examples or data. Overstating their impact can weaken your argument. Instead, support your claims with evidence of how these gaps are being exploited.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "loopholes" is as a plural noun. It typically functions as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause, referring to ambiguities or omissions in laws or regulations that allow for circumvention. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "loopholes" functions as a plural noun, typically used in neutral to formal contexts, often within news and media or formal business discussions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term commonly refers to ambiguities or gaps in laws and regulations that allow individuals or organizations to avoid compliance or gain an advantage. It’s important to use the term accurately, being mindful of the specific context to enhance clarity. Related terms such as "legal gaps" or "regulatory loopholes" can offer more precision depending on the subject matter. Understanding the nuances of "loopholes" ensures effective communication and precise expression in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legal loopholes and oversights

Combined phrase to highlight that something was not properly accounted for.

legal gaps

Focuses specifically on deficiencies within the legal framework.

regulatory loopholes

Highlights ambiguities specifically in regulations.

tax loopholes

Specifically refers to gaps in tax laws.

gaps in the law

General term describing where the law is insufficient.

escape clauses

Emphasizes the possibility of avoiding obligations.

technicalities

Emphasis on minute details used to circumvent rules.

ambiguities

Highlights the lack of clarity in rules or laws.

deficiencies

General term for flaws or inadequacies.

omissions

Focuses on what is left out or missing.

FAQs

How can the word "loopholes" be used in a sentence?

You can use "loopholes" to describe ambiguities or gaps in rules, laws, or regulations. For example: "The company exploited several "loopholes" in the tax code to minimize their tax liability."

What are some alternatives to the word "loopholes"?

Some alternatives to "loopholes" include "legal gaps", "regulatory loopholes", or "escape clauses", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "gaps in the law" or "loopholes"?

"Gaps in the law" is a more general term, while "loopholes" implies that these gaps are being exploited to avoid compliance or gain an advantage. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "loopholes" and "technicalities"?

"Technicalities" refers to minute details or formalities, while "loopholes" specifically implies that these details are being used to circumvent the intent of a rule or law. "Technicalities" are not necessarily negative, but "loopholes" usually carries a negative connotation.