loosely applied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loosely applied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concept, rule, or term that is not strictly or rigidly enforced or interpreted. Example: "The guidelines for the project are loosely applied, allowing for some flexibility in how team members approach their tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

But macro is loosely applied.

The New York Times - Tech

One loosely applied law for the rich.

The Guardian - Opinion

The definition of what constituted a world premiere was rather loosely applied.

The New York Times

The term is also loosely applied to those dramatists and the production of those works.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Historically, the term East Indies is loosely applied to any of three contexts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sometimes the term is also loosely applied to the inducement of scars (cicatrization).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's a syndrome that loosely applies to her characters.

The Guardian

It said that the Syrian Army "pursued an armed terrorist group west of Adra in the Damascus countryside, killing and injuring a number of terrorists," using the term the government loosely applies to all its opponents.

The New York Times

Mr. Florio, however, loosely applies the term "privatization" to any investment of Social Security money in the private markets rather than in government bonds, and does little to dissuade his audiences from assuming that Mr. Corzine must favor the Republican idea.

The New York Times

Therefore, what I'm doing here is just loosely applying these terms to a character who simply displays the behaviors and characteristics of a particular diagnostic label that we use for real people.

Huffington Post

The term 'Renaissance man' (or woman) can loosely apply to anyone whose work or areas of expertise span multiple genres, and Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau (1889-1963), was was a poet, playwright, artist, and filmmaker, was nothing if not a Renaissance man.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "loosely applied", ensure the context clarifies what is being applied loosely and the degree of latitude involved. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "loosely applied" when you actually mean 'incompletely applied' or 'negligently applied'. "Loosely applied" suggests flexibility within understood boundaries, not a failure to adhere to standards or expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loosely applied" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a past participle, indicating the manner in which something (a rule, a term, etc.) is applied. It suggests a lack of strictness or precision. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

32%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "loosely applied" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a rule, term, or definition is not strictly enforced or interpreted. Ludwig confirms that it's frequently used in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While the phrase is acceptable across different registers, it is crucial to ensure clarity by specifying what is being applied loosely and to avoid overstating the implication, as clarified above. Alternatives such as "flexibly interpreted" and "not strictly enforced" offer similar meanings with slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loosely construed

Indicates that the rule or definition is interpreted in a broad or non-specific way.

not strictly enforced

Directly states the absence of strict enforcement.

flexibly interpreted

Focuses on the adaptability of understanding, rather than the application itself.

broadly implemented

Suggests wide but not necessarily precise application.

generally enforced

Implies enforcement is not consistent or universal.

casually used

Implies an informal and possibly imprecise application.

informally administered

Highlights a lack of formal structure in the application.

liberally construed

Indicates a broad and open interpretation.

generously interpreted

Emphasizes a lenient or expansive understanding.

widely adopted

Suggests extensive usage but not necessarily accurately.

FAQs

What does "loosely applied" mean?

The phrase "loosely applied" means that something, such as a rule, definition, or term, is not strictly or rigidly enforced or interpreted. It allows for some flexibility or variation in its application.

What can I say instead of "loosely applied"?

You can use alternatives like "flexibly interpreted", "not strictly enforced", or "broadly implemented" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "loosely applied"?

Yes, "loosely applied" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and appropriate usage across various contexts.

How to use "loosely applied" in a sentence?

You can use "loosely applied" in a sentence like: "The term 'organic' is often "loosely applied" to products that only contain a small percentage of organic ingredients."