not in effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not in effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a rule, law, or policy is currently not active or applicable. Example: "The new regulations are not in effect until next month, so we can continue with the current guidelines for now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They do not "in effect appoint the [article their] agent for service of process". World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson, 444 U.S., at 296, 100 S.Ct., at 566.

Harvard University

It suggests that a policy to address conflicts is not in effect or there isn't an effective means of communicating with them about it".

The New York Times - Sports

Parking meters are not in effect.

The New York Times

Those patents are not in effect outside the United States.

The New York Times - Science

"They are not in effect," Mr. Rinehart said.

The New York Times

You can't prosecute somebody who's not, in effect, there to defend himself".

The New York Times

"Our Constitution is not in effect right here in my own city," the teacher said.

The New York Times

With the British Open starting tomorrow, that warning is not in effect.

The New York Times - Sports

"The herd mentality of the past was simply not in effect".

The New York Times

Some played part or all of their careers when collective bargaining agreements were not in effect.

The New York Times - Sports

Why not, in effect, write a prescription that says "one healthy baby who is going to be a perfect donor"?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not in effect", clearly specify what is not in effect (e.g., a specific law, rule, or agreement) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that everyone understands the specific context when stating something is "not in effect". Always provide enough context to ensure clarity for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in effect" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (often a law, rule, or regulation) to indicate its current status of being inactive or non-operative. Ludwig provides many examples of this usage, confirming its correct grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not in effect" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that a rule, law, or agreement is currently inactive or non-operative. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is primarily adjectival, modifying nouns to specify their current status. Its register tends to be neutral to formal, with frequent usage in news, academic, and scientific contexts. For alternatives, consider "not operative", "not valid", or "not applicable", depending on the desired nuance. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is "not in effect" and providing sufficient context for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not operative

Replaces 'in effect' with 'operative', maintaining a formal tone but shifting the emphasis slightly to the functional aspect.

not valid

Indicates that something is no longer legally or officially binding.

not applicable

Suggests the situation doesn't apply or is irrelevant in the current context.

suspended

Implies a temporary cessation of something's operation.

not enforced

Focuses on the lack of active enforcement of a rule or law.

out of force

A more formal and legalistic way of saying something is not currently active.

in abeyance

Suggests a temporary state of suspension or inactivity.

deactivated

Highlights the action of making something inactive or non-functional.

null and void

Indicates that something is without legal force or effect.

not implemented

Focuses on the fact that something has not been put into practice or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "not in effect" to indicate that a rule, law, or policy is currently not active or applicable. For example, "The new regulations are "not in effect" until next month".

What are some alternatives to "not in effect"?

Some alternatives include "not operative", "not valid", or "not applicable", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "not in effect"?

Use "not in effect" when you want to clearly state that a rule, law, or agreement is currently suspended, inactive, or has not yet been implemented.

What is the difference between "not in effect" and "repealed"?

"Not in effect" usually implies a temporary suspension or non-implementation, while "repealed" means a law or regulation has been officially revoked and is no longer valid. If a law is repealed you can use expressions such as "invalidated" or "revoked".