modified the law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modified the law" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing changes or amendments made to existing legislation or legal frameworks. Example: "The committee modified the law to include stricter penalties for violations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

President Vladimir Putin has modified the law.

The New York Times

Between the time of his arrest and the date of trial, Congress modified the law by giving the courts discretionary sentencing authority.

The New York Times

Just two years ago the State Legislature modified the law to require city and town police departments to report crimes of bias to the state police.

The New York Times

In response, Congress modified the law, requiring that upgrades were to be considered "new sources" of pollution and thus subject to the control requirements.

The New York Times

The European Commission for Democracy through Law (the Venice Commission) criticized the practice and the Hungarian government modified the law on the judiciary to reduce the powers of the head of the National Judicial Office.

The New York Times

In June, the government modified the law to eliminate one court that had heard cases against men accused of homosexual activities and that had convicted a prominent Egyptian-American rights advocate, Saad Eddin Ibrahim, on charges that he defamed Egypt in connection with his work on voter rights.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The court gave the Illinois legislature six months to modify the law.

The New York Times

I didn't expect the court to lift the ban, but I hoped they would modify the law.

The Guardian

Congress should modify the law to give prisoners themselves the right to seek compassionate release from a court.

The New York Times

That decision left it to the State Legislature to modify the law, and opposition to the death penalty among Assembly Democrats has nullified any such effort.

The New York Times

Now, after decades of promises to modify the law from successive governments, Mr. Griesbach and other landowners may finally find some measure of relief.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modified the law", ensure you specify what aspect of the law was changed and the reason for the modification for clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "modified the law" without indicating which specific section or provision was altered. Providing details ensures your statement is informative and avoids ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modified the law" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object, indicating an action taken upon a specific legal statute. Ludwig AI validates that this expression appears in various contexts. The examples show that it's generally used to report legislative or governmental actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modified the law" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote changes or amendments to legal statutes. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is more prevalent in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and scientific contexts. While not overly common, the phrase serves a clear communicative purpose of informing the audience about legal adjustments. To ensure effective communication, it is advisable to specify which aspects of the law were modified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amended the legislation

Indicates a formal alteration or addition to a law or statute.

revised the statute

Emphasizes a thorough examination and alteration of a written law.

altered the regulation

Suggests a change to a rule or directive made by an authority.

adjusted the legal framework

Highlights a slight change to a set of rules or procedures that govern a particular activity or industry.

adapted the ordinance

Implies making a local law or regulation suitable for new conditions.

reformed the legal system

Indicates a comprehensive restructuring of the legal system.

overhauled the legislation

Suggests a complete renovation or restructuring of the legal text.

updated the rules

Implies bringing the rules to the current standards and needs.

refined the code

Suggests small edits to improve the code.

fine-tuned the act

Highlights making minor adjustments for optimal operation.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "modified the law"?

Alternatives include "amended the legislation", "revised the statute", or "altered the regulation", each carrying slightly different connotations of the change's scope and nature.

How do I use "modified the law" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe changes made to existing laws. For example, "The government modified the law to address environmental concerns."

Which is more appropriate, "modified the law" or "repealed the law"?

"Modified the law" indicates a change or adjustment, while "repealed the law" means the law was completely revoked or abolished. The correct choice depends on whether the law was changed or eliminated.

What's the difference between "modified the law" and "amended the law"?

While similar, "amended the law" typically refers to adding to or correcting a law, while "modified the law" can encompass broader changes, including alterations or adjustments to its existing provisions. Both are very close semantically.