motion to dismiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "motion to dismiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a formal request to a court to dismiss a case or a claim. Example: "The defendant filed a motion to dismiss the charges based on lack of evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Motion to Dismiss.

Cornell University

Asher made a motion to dismiss.

The New Yorker

The motion to dismiss is therefore denied.

Cornell University

We deny the motion to dismiss.

Cornell University

The motion to dismiss will be denied.

Cornell University

A motion to dismiss under Fed.

Harvard University

The motion to dismiss the appeal is denied.

Cornell University

Motion to dismiss appeal granted.' Rehearing was thereafter denied.

Cornell University

Courts address this question on a motion to dismiss.

Harvard University

The Municipal Court sustained a motion to dismiss the information.

Cornell University

The district attorney filed a motion to dismiss the charges.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting legal documents, ensure that the grounds for your "motion to dismiss" are clearly articulated and supported by relevant legal precedents.

Common error

Avoid filing a "motion to dismiss" without specific legal basis or factual support. Courts often reject motions that are vague or lack sufficient justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "motion to dismiss" functions primarily as a noun phrase within legal contexts. Ludwig AI data confirms it represents a formal request made to a court, seeking the termination of a legal case. Examples show it used both as the subject and object of sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

52%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "motion to dismiss" is a widely used legal term that describes a formal request to a court to dismiss a case or claim. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in academic and news contexts. As a legal term, its usage is very frequent. When using the phrase, ensure clarity and precision, grounding the "motion to dismiss" in specific, well-supported legal arguments. While alternatives exist, such as "application for dismissal", "motion to dismiss" remains the standard and most direct terminology. Understanding the nuances of its usage is crucial for anyone working within the legal field.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motion seeking dismissal

Adds clarity by specifying the purpose of the motion.

application for dismissal

Replaces "motion" with "application", focusing on the formal request aspect.

request for dismissal

Uses a more general term "request" instead of "motion", simplifying the phrasing.

dismissal request

Concise version, omitting "motion" for brevity.

plea for dismissal

Emphasizes the act of pleading or appealing to the court.

petition for dismissal

Highlights the formal written aspect of the request.

submission for dismissal

Highlights act of formally submitting paperwork for dismissal

attempt to dismiss

Focuses on the action of trying to get the case dismissed.

legal challenge to dismiss

Highlights the legal aspect of contesting the case.

effort to get a dismissal

Informal phrasing emphasizing the effort involved.

FAQs

What does it mean to file a "motion to dismiss"?

Filing a "motion to dismiss" is a legal procedure where a party requests the court to terminate a case, typically because they believe it lacks sufficient grounds or legal basis to proceed.

What are some common reasons for filing a "motion to dismiss"?

Common reasons include lack of jurisdiction, insufficient evidence, failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, or expiration of the statute of limitations.

What's the difference between a "motion to dismiss" and a summary judgment?

A "motion to dismiss" is usually filed early in a case, arguing that the complaint is legally insufficient. A summary judgment, on the other hand, is filed later, arguing that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

What can I say instead of "motion to dismiss"?

You can use alternatives like "application for dismissal", "request for dismissal", or "plea for dismissal", depending on the context.