principal legislation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal legislation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to the main laws or statutes enacted by a legislative body. Example: "The principal legislation governing environmental protection was enacted in 1990."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Some aid and development projects have already been approved, but an ambassador has yet to be nominated, and the principal legislation covering sanctions against Myanmar is still in place, the JADE Act of 2008.

The New York Times

The principal legislation to be debated on the Senate floor would allow but not require the secretary of health and human services to negotiate with drug companies to secure lower prices for Medicare beneficiaries.

The New York Times

This was the principal legislation transposing the Habitats Directive and upgraded the protection of the Kerry slug's habitat by the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (as listed in the distribution section above).

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

State officials have been developing the details of a new evaluation system for teachers and principals since legislation was passed last year as part of New York's successful effort to win a $700 million federal grant.

The New York Times

President Sadat amended the constitution to enshrine Islamic sharia as the "principal source" of legislation, which leaves matters suitably vague.

The Economist

TWENTY-SEVEN years ago, Egypt revised its secular constitution to enshrine Muslim sharia as "the principal source of legislation".

The Economist

The principal piece of legislation, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa), has been in force since 2000.

The Guardian

The document establishes Islamic law as the principal source of legislation, but so did the constitution that was in force throughout Mubarak's tenure.

Independent

This year he was the principal opponent of legislation supported by large majorities of Democrats and Republicans that would make it more difficult for people to declare bankruptcy.

The New York Times

For instance, Article 2 of the existing constitution, from 1971, states that "principles of Sharia are the principal source of legislation," and it seems likely that this wording will remain in the new constitution.

The New Yorker

In a Feb. 28 meeting of the Constituent Assembly, which is thrashing out the constitution, the Islamist party Ennhada called for traditional Islamic law, or Shariah, to be recognized as the principal source of legislation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the most important law on a specific topic, use "principal legislation" to clearly indicate its significance.

Common error

Avoid substituting "principal legislation" with "principle legislation". "Principal" refers to the main or most important thing, while "principle" refers to a fundamental truth or proposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal legislation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most important or main laws related to a specific area, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal legislation" is a grammatically correct and formal term used to denote the most important or governing law on a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it is appropriate for legal, governmental, and academic contexts. Alternatives such as "main legislation" and "primary legislation" can be used depending on the specific nuance required. It is important to avoid confusion with the word "principle". Overall, understanding and correctly using "principal legislation" enhances clarity and precision in legal and policy writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main legislation

Focuses on the primary or most important laws.

primary legislation

Emphasizes the fundamental or foundational nature of the laws.

key legislation

Highlights the significance and importance of the laws.

core legislation

Stresses the essential and central aspect of the legislation.

chief legislation

Indicates the leading or most prominent legislation.

central legislation

Implies that the legislation is a focal point.

fundamental legislation

Focuses on legislation forming a basic foundation.

major legislation

Highlights the substantial impact of the legislation.

dominant legislation

Emphasizes legislation having a controlling influence.

leading legislation

Highlights legislation that guides or directs policy.

FAQs

How can I use "principal legislation" in a sentence?

You can use "principal legislation" to refer to the most important law or set of laws concerning a particular issue. For example, "The "main legislation" governing environmental protection in the country is the Environmental Protection Act of 1990".

What is the difference between "primary legislation" and "principal legislation"?

While both terms are similar, "primary legislation" often refers to the initial or foundational law, whereas "principal legislation" highlights the most important or governing law currently in effect.

What are some alternatives to using "principal legislation"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like ""main legislation"", "key legislation", or "core legislation".

Is "principal legislation" a formal term?

Yes, "principal legislation" is considered a formal term, often used in legal, governmental, and academic contexts. It's suitable for official documents and scholarly writing.