not illegal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not illegal" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is permissible or allowed under the law, even if it may be considered unethical or questionable. For example, "While the practice is controversial, it is not illegal." Alternative expressions include "legal," "permissible," and "allowed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sexting is not illegal.

The New York Times

"It's not illegal.

The New York Times

"It's not illegal?" Black said.

The New York Times - Sports

And it is not illegal.

The Economist

"They're not illegal," he said.

The New Yorker

Booze is not illegal.

The Guardian

"Prostitution is not illegal".

The Guardian

Not illegal, but unethical.

The Guardian - Sport

"But that's not illegal".

The New York Times

This was not illegal.

The New York Times

I'm not illegal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not illegal" to clearly state that an action, while possibly unethical or controversial, does not violate any laws. This provides a precise legal perspective, which can be crucial in discussions about ethics and legality.

Common error

Avoid using "not illegal" as a blanket justification for actions that are ethically questionable. While something might be within legal bounds, it may still be morally wrong. Acknowledge the ethical implications separately to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not illegal" functions primarily as a negative descriptor, indicating that a particular action or state does not contravene existing laws. As seen in Ludwig's examples, this phrase is frequently used in contexts where the ethical or moral implications are being debated, but the legal standing is clear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not illegal" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something does not violate the law. As Ludwig highlights, it frequently appears in news and media when discussing topics that may be ethically questionable but legally permissible. Understanding the proper use of "not illegal" helps to ensure clear communication, particularly when navigating complex legal and ethical discussions. While alternatives like "within the law" or "legally permissible" exist, "not illegal" offers a specific emphasis on the absence of legal prohibition, which Ludwig AI confirms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the law

Emphasizes adherence to legal boundaries.

legally permissible

Highlights the legal allowance of an action.

not prohibited by law

Focuses on the absence of legal restrictions.

allowed by law

Directly states that something is permitted legally.

lawful

A concise term for being in accordance with the law.

legitimate

Indicates something is recognized and acceptable according to laws and rules.

permissible

Highlights the allowance of an action, often implying it's not just legal but also acceptable.

above board

Suggests honesty and legality, implying openness and transparency.

within regulations

Highlights compliance with specific rules and regulations.

in accordance with the law

Stresses the alignment of an action with existing legal standards.

FAQs

How can I use "not illegal" in a sentence?

Use "not illegal" to specify that an action or behavior doesn't violate any laws, even if it may be ethically questionable. For example, "While controversial, the practice is "not illegal"."

What are some alternatives to saying "not illegal"?

You can use phrases like "within the law", "legally permissible", or "lawful" to convey that something is permissible under the law.

Is there a difference between "not illegal" and "ethical"?

"Not illegal" means that an action does not violate any laws, while "ethical" refers to whether the action conforms to moral principles. Something can be "not illegal" but still unethical, and vice versa.

When should I use "not illegal" instead of "legal"?

Use "not illegal" when you want to emphasize that something is merely within the boundaries of the law, potentially implying that it might still be questionable in other aspects, such as ethics or morality. "Legal" is a more general term, whereas "not illegal" is more specific in that it explicitly denies illegality.