official interpretation

USAGE SUMMARY

"official interpretation" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to an authoritative or formal explanation or understanding of something. Example: The Supreme Court issued an official interpretation of the Constitution, clarifying the rights of citizens in regards to freedom of speech.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The official interpretation of this law is even stricter.

The New York Times

Requiring the government to be more open about the official interpretation of the law is critical.

The Guardian - Opinion

Under appendix C of Regulation M, anyone may request an official interpretation.

Cornell University

Essentially, Mr. Kadivar is arguing that the official interpretation of Islam developed under the Islamic Republic is misguided.

The New York Times

The 1973 Kilbrandon report is widely recognised as the UK's official interpretation of the complex constitutional relationship between Britain and its overseas territories and dependencies.

The Guardian - Business

But by far the most important interpretation of what the law means is the official interpretation used by the US government and this interpretation is – stunningly – classified.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Test results were interpreted according to the two official interpretations of the SIT test and two possible cut-off points in the IFN-γ assay (the one currently in place in Spain and an alternate threshold that would provide higher specificity but lower sensitivity) [ 20] in an attempt to assess the impact of changing the interpretation/threshold on the risk of in-vivo diagnostic test failure.

BMC Veterinary Research

Significance of official interpretations.

Cornell University

§ 783.3 Significance of official interpretations.

Cornell University

§ 784.4 Significance of official interpretations.

Cornell University

29 CFR § 783.3 - Significance of official interpretations.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "official interpretation" to denote a specific, often legally binding, understanding of a text, law, or event, contrasting it with personal or informal interpretations.

Common error

Avoid presenting a personal opinion as the "official interpretation". An "official interpretation" must be backed by a relevant authority or institution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "official interpretation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, indicating its acceptance in various contexts. It denotes a formally recognized explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "official interpretation" is a commonly used noun phrase signifying a formal and authoritative explanation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the interpretation genuinely stems from a recognized authority and is not simply a personal opinion misattributed as such. Remember to consider alternatives like "formal interpretation" or "authorized explanation" to suit the specific context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formal interpretation

Replaces "official" with "formal", emphasizing the structured and conventional aspect of the interpretation.

authorized explanation

Substitutes "interpretation" with "explanation", focusing on the act of clarifying or elucidating with authority.

government's reading

Specifies that the interpretation comes from the government, highlighting its position of authority.

accepted understanding

Emphasizes the widespread agreement and validation of the interpretation.

established definition

Replaces "interpretation" with "definition", focusing on the clear and fixed meaning.

canonical reading

Uses "canonical" to indicate that the interpretation is standard and authoritative.

state-sanctioned version

Highlights the approval and endorsement by the state or governing body.

validated construal

Focuses on the act of construing or interpreting in a way that has been officially validated.

prescribed elucidation

Indicates that the interpretation is not only official but also mandatory or required.

ratified explanation

Highlights that the explanation has been officially approved and confirmed.

FAQs

How is "official interpretation" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "official interpretation" refers to the authoritative explanation of a law or statute, often provided by a court or government agency. This interpretation is legally binding and guides the application of the law.

What's the difference between "official interpretation" and "common understanding"?

An "official interpretation" is a formal explanation by an authority, while "common understanding" is a generally held belief or interpretation that may not have formal backing. The former carries legal or institutional weight.

Can the "official interpretation" of a document change over time?

Yes, the "official interpretation" can evolve through court decisions, amendments, or policy changes. This can lead to different understandings of the same document at different points in time.

What are some alternatives to using "official interpretation" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "formal explanation", "authorized understanding", or "government's reading" to convey a similar meaning.